Harness Racing

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday January 2, 2009

CHRIS ROOTS and JOHN GILMOUR

Right attitude

Driver Jim Brown has no doubt unbeaten two-year-old Cuttheattitude is the best horse he has sat behind, but trainer Felicity Gallagher is a bit more circumspect even after he went 1.56.8 untouched for a mile at Menangle on Tuesday.

Gallagher has only a team of four and away from harness racing is a risk compliance officer in the banking industry, which is probably why she's not getting too carried away.

"It's great to hear Jimmy say things like that, particularly because he has driven Standelle, but [Cuttheattitude] as only won two races," Gallagher said. "He has a lot in front of him because he is entered in the Australian Pacing Gold and the Bathurst Gold Crown and is also a Vicbred horse.

"We put him in the paddock after [Tuesday] and we are looking at the Sapling Stakes as his next run."

Cup looms as family affair

It will be a battle for Lang family supremacy when Sundons Gift and Save A Sixpence clash again in the group 1 Dullard Cup Final at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.

Save A Sixpence, which is trained by Graeme Lang and driven by his brother Gavin, caused a surprise when he beat 30m backmarker and $1.70 favourite Sundons Gift in the heats at Bendigo last week.

The pair is expected to fight out the final, with their heat significantly quicker than one won by Sundons Tiavon. Save A Sixpence sat in the breeze but was still able to clock 58.2 seconds for the last half-mile to score by 51/2 metres.

Graeme Lang was delighted with Save A Sixpence, which was stepping up to the top level for the first time, but his son Chris will looking for revenge in the final with Sundons Gift.

"[Save A Sixpence] had a hard run, but he probably pulled up the best he ever has," Graeme Lang said. "Considering this is his first go racing against the top bracket of trotters, he's doing a terrific job. I'm sure hell be a better horse again in 12 months' time, because he's always been big and overgrown and he's still learning what it's all about."

The Lang family will be looking for its fifth Dullard Cup.

Big test for Sam

Queenslander I Am Sam will try to earn his spot in next month's Hunter Cup by winning the group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2575m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday night.

The six-year-old won the Bohemia Crystal Free For All (2160m) at Harold Park on Miracle Mile night before scoring at Moonee Valley but found the pace too hot when he sat outside Melpark Major in the Victoria Cup at Moonee Valley on December 20.

"He wasn't quite up to sitting outside the sort of speed they went in the Vic Cup," driver Natalie Rasmussen said. "We think he is up to the best with the right run but he didn't get that the other night.

"He's very tough and in this grade of race he will be better suited and will be able to do some work."

Cowen in driver's seat

Brad Cowen, who will represent Queensland in the Australasian Young Drivers' Championship in March, gained his introduction to the sport driving mini trotters at Newcastle and Maitland.

The seven-heat series coincides with the InterDominion on the Gold Coast. Heats will be run at various south-east Queensland tracks on March 24, 25 and 27, with the final heat on grand final night March 28.

Cowen, who will turn 21 on January 14, grew up in Stanford Merthyr and rode in pony club before he started driving in mini trot races staged by the Newcastle/Maitland Mini Trotting Club in 2002.

He was helping Maitland trainer Wayne Hancock and working in a supermarket when in 2004 he was offered a job as a stablehand to Bill Dixon, who was then training at Burnside.

He obtained his licence to drive in races in 2005 and since then he has landed 64 winners and steered 212 placegetters. He was named most improved reinsman in Queensland in the 2006-2007 season but last season was his best so far with 28 winners and 77 minor placings.

It was also the season during which he outdrove his concession claim.

"It is a great thrill to be selected to represent Queensland, particularly with the InterDominion in our own backyard," Cowen said. "I will be giving it my best shot."

Cowen, who has driven 10 metropolitan winners, said his biggest buzz had come from steering I Am Sam into third behind Atomic Ark and Slipnslide in the group 2 Winter Cup at Albion Park in July.

© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home