By TONY LOGAN

It was Ararat Harness Racing Club’s night of the year on Friday with the running of the $30,000 group-three Renown Silverware Ararat Pacing Cup and the $20,000 group-three Niota Bloodstock Ararat Trotters Cup.

The 46th edition of the pacers cup saw Charlton trainer Greg Norman knock punters for a six when his eight-year-old gelding Zadaka scored at the bolter’s odds of 50-1. Raced by Adelaide owners A. B. and T. Cormack Racing, Zadaka – Jodi Quinlan – was taken back from gate six to settle at the rear as the two favourites, Riley Major – Zac Phillips – and Im Anothermasterpiece – Kerryn Manning – scorched out of the gate with Riley Major crossing to the lead.

Relishing the hectic tempo, Zadaka finished full of running to score by a head in a thrilling finish over the fast-finishing Majestic Cruiser – Darby McGuigan – with a gap of five metres to the brave Im Anothermasterpiece.

It was Zadaka’s fifth win since being purchased from New Zealand by Cormac Racing and took his career record to 12 wins, 21 placings and $174,801 from 73 outings.

Trotters

The Ararat Trotters Cup was a triumph for Bendigo district trainer Kate Hargreaves and driver Ellen Tormey, with six-year-old gelding Well Defined an upset winner in a track-record mile rate of 2:03.3 over the staying journey of 2570-metres.

After beginning quickly from outside the front row, Well Defined went into a break shortly after and the $9 chance settled at the tail of the field on the back of the hot favourite Havehorsewilltravel – Kate Gath – which was looking to make it seven wins in a row. Havehorsewilltravel raced clear around the home turn and looked all over a winner but Well Defined knuckled down and claimed him in the shadows of the post to score by a half-neck with a gap of some 20 metres to Scruffy Doolan – Ryan Duffy – in third spot.

Well Defined has won 12 races from 59 starts since joining the Hargreaves stable.

Maiden trot

While the spotlight was on the cups at Ararat it was great to see the Michelle and Craig Wight training team salute the judge with three-year-old gelding Morsure Damour in the $7000 Ararat Farm Supplies three-year-old  maiden trot.

The bay son of Love You and Calder Fury led from barrier to post and despite trotting a little roughly at the 75-metre mark, held off  the challenge from $1.20-favourite Parisian Artiste – Michael Bellman – to score by a half-length in a rate of 2:05.6 for the 2195-metre trip.

Swan Hill

Astute Ararat trainer Terry Young and driver Grant Campbell took out the opening race at Swan Hill with three-year-old gelding Classicmajor for long-time stable supporter Terry Cahill.

The nicely bred son of champion sire Art Major and smart Bettors Delight USA mare Lierre, 15 wins, was first up from a spell and used the pole draw to advantage to score an all-the-way victory.

Melton

Melton was a very happy hunting ground for Horsham’s Dunn clan on Saturday night with trainer-driver Aaron and his parents Barry and Yvonne celebrating victories with Rollova and Glenavril King.

Dunn bought Rollova home with a well-timed run to snatch victory in a $20,000 contest over 2240 metres – it’s seventh win from 24 starts since owner Stephen Blacker purchased the five-year-old gelding from New Zealand.

Glenavril King – Kerryn Manning – made it three in a row for Barry and Yvonne when successful in the $20,000 HERO Claiming Pace.

The five-year-old gelded son of Courage Under Fire won six races last season, and with three more in the new year, has now banked $70,370 for his owners.

Horsham

Horsham Harness Racing Club and West Side will host a Girls Day Out @ The Trots, raising money for ovarian cancer research on public holiday Monday, March 8.

Tickets are $30 each with pre-bookings essential from Vicky on 0417 390 526.

The race meeting features the 31st edition of Horsham’s Noel Smith Memorial Invitation Drivers Championship.

The entire February 17, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!