Riverina News
Emotions run deep each time Graces Grey wins a race for the Reid family of West Wyalong and her former trainer and part-owner Bill Evans.
Earlier this year, Adam Reid – a part-owner of Graces Grey - was killed under tragic circumstances when working on a car in West Wyalong.
His death devastated his family and friends who still try to piece together exactly what went wrong on that fateful day, according to Evans.
Adam Reid’s estate, along with Evans, retain the lease agreement for Graces Grey who has been in career best form at Menangle over the past month.
Graces Grey has won three of her past four starts including two mare’s finals with new trainer David Wilkins in charge.
Evans said it was simply a case of Graces Grey finding her best form.
“She qualified for one of the finals after finishing second at Wagga so I sent her to David Wilkins for that run at Menangle,” Evans said.
“She ended up winning and hasn’t looked back – she is no world beater but she has really improved of late.”
Evans said it was always emotional when Graces Grey won and raced.
“It’s nice for Adam’s parents, his family and friends every time she wins,” he said.
“We were close mates and it was a real tragedy when he was killed.”
Graces Grey will most likely have her next start at Harold Park.
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Speaking of emotional moments, the debut victory by the aptly named Skippy Saddler
had the many friends of one of rugby’s league true characters cheering this week.
Skippy Saddler is named after former rugby league coach and player Graham “Skippy” Saddler who died suddenly more than two years ago.
His son Troy owns Skippy Saddler which is trained by Neil Day at Goulburn and has raced just four times.
Graham Saddler, who coached a number of Riverina rugby league teams, died in July 2008.
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Comeback pacer Jaydens Castle is still a fair way off peak fitness despite winning at his second start back from an enforced layoff at Menangle last week.
“He will take a lot of benefit from the run. He pulled up terrific which is important after the leg problem he had and I plan to give him a few more starts to top him right off,” trainer David Eurell said.
“(Driver) Jimmy Douglas couldn’t believe how smooth he is when he takes off – he just glides.”
It’s been a successful week for Eurell whose other pacer, Kyema Khan, was named horse of the year at Cobram.
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The training partnership between Michael Hardy and Michael Day junior has produced more than 70 winners in the past two years.
Not only are Hardy and Day brother-in-laws, but good friends who works their team of pacers together under the Hardy-Day racing stables banner.
Hannah Malone’s win at Canberra on Monday night was the stable’s 30th win for the season.
“We had more winners in the previous 12 months but I had Tully Rachael which won about nine out of 12 starts which helped,” Hardy said.
Hannah Malone made it three straight wins to continue the stable’s winning run over the past few weeks.
From the stable’s past ten runners, seven have won including Tully Town, Universal Courage and Micks Lemon.
“It’s been another good season and in particular over the past few weeks,” Hardy said.
Hannah Malone will head back to Canberra for her next start and hopefully qualify for a mare’s final at Menangle.
Hardy, 28, has a number of promising pacers in his stable including dual Wagga two-year-old winner Queen Of Attitude.
He finished in the top five in the Riverina trainer’s premiership with 22 wins, 23 seconds and 22 thirds from 162 starters.
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Trainer David Kennedy can never be accused of rushing into anything after popping the question to his wife to be Kylie Moore.
The couple will marry on September 23 in Leeton before a one-week honeymoon in Perth.
Kennedy, 43, said he was looking forward to married life.
“You can’t rush into these things,” he said.
On the racing front, Kennedy’s stable star Deadsetlucky returned to training this week after a brief break.
The best performed pacer in the region this season, Deadsetlucky’s long range target is the Miracle Mile.
Deadsetlucky looks certain to be named Riverina pacer of the year at the awards presentation evening in Wagga on October 8.
Harness racing this week will be at Young with seven races on Friday afternoon.
The region’s oldest pacer Bobs Buddy will be lining up for his 199th start against Jaydens Castle in the feature race.
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