PATIENCE and tender loving care has paid dividends for Crescent Glory a brilliant winner of the Barastoc Terang Trotters’ Cup on Saturday night.
The eight-year-old gelding was off the scene for nearly 18 months with a chronic leg injury and it wasn’t until six months ago he resumed racing.
And for Camperdown owner Len Fahey and his son-in-law John Meade winning the prestigious trotters’ cup was most satisfying.
“This is a wonderful thrill,” Fahey said.
“I’ve been in harness racing for over three decades and tonight’s win is one of the most rewarding.
“We didn’t think the horse would ever get back on the track and win such an important race after being so long recuperating.
“John has worked wonders with him.”
Crescent Glory has now won 14 races from 68 race starts and has amassed over $128,000 in prize money.
In the trotters’ cup, Crescent Glory ($2.90 fav) went straight to the front off the standing start and was never headed.
Fahey said his son-in-law was the usual driver but had opted for Kerryn Manning to take the reins for the interdominion series that had just concluded.
“Crescent Glory found the opposition tough in these races but its fitness level had improved greatly,” Fahey said.
“Kerryn is a brilliant driver with over 3000 driving successes throughout her career and don’t forget she has won three previous trotting cups at Terang.”
Fahey said Crescent Glory came from a long line of breeding mares he had raced.
“I’ve bred her mother and grandmother, they have been wonderful stock,” he said.
In making the presentation to the winning connections, member for Polwarth and Transport Minister Terry Mulder told of a government commitment to the harness club.
“Our government has committed $17,000 towards a watering system for the track,” he said.
In one of the most open Terang Co-Op Pacing Cups in years, Onedin Hustler proved successful for Melton trainer Lance Justice.
Onedin Hustler ($23.00) was given a gun run from driver Kerryn Manning, who picked up the winning drive in the absence of Justice who is recovering at home with a broken leg sustained in a race fall several weeks ago.
Manning said she was happy to accept the drive as she new all about the quirks of Onedin Hustler.
“We had him in our stables at one time and I knew the Justice team would have him primed for tonight,” she said.
“Lance Justice’s brother John had driven the horse since Lance’s injury but he had one of his own horses in Thats Mister Ali engaged in the event and they selected me.”
Similar to the trotting cup, Manning is accustomed to winning a Terang Cup.
She was successful in the 2004 event with Lagoon Lady.
For trainer Lance Justice it was the fourth time he has been involved in winning the race.
He drove the brilliant Sokyola in 2003 and 2005 and Smooth Cruza three years later.
Terang Harness Racing Club president Bruce Clarke said the night’s racing went off without a hitch.
The cold night would have kept people with children away but the attendance was excellent and the quality of racing was terrific,” he said.
Clarke who won a Terang Cup with Tendency in 1988 added the event always attracts the best pacers.
“In the last decade we have had Blacks A Fake and Sokyola take out the cup, they don’t come any better than them,” he said.
The Lee combination of mum Margaret and son Jason continued when Keayang Falcon ($3.30) scored an effortless win in the 1680 metre Terang VicBred Trophy event.
Lee had three of her charges engaged in the event Keayang Falcon, Keayang Joy and Keayang Genius with nephews Matthew and Glen Craven driving the latter pair.
Keayang Falcon was coming off a last start Charlton victory on January 12 and given the perfect trail from Jason scored the easiest of wins.
Terang will stage its next meeting on February 28.