Glowing Rapids wins as Harrison continues good run
A good run of results for the Melissa Harrison Racing team continued at Cowra on Monday as Glowing Rapids triumphed in the 1200m Benchmark 58 Handicap.
Glowing Rapids had been a picture of consistency in the lead-up to Monday’s win, with the five-year-old Valentia gelding scoring two victories and placing a further three times during his past six starts.
Drawn well and backed into odds-on favourite, apprentice Deon Le Roux took the ride and the pair found the front before making every post a winner when cruising to a nearly two-length victory.
Boasting almost $100,000 in career earnings, Glowing Rapids, who is raced by John Laidlaw, now has a record of 24 starts for the four wins and nine minor placings.
It was a good day at Cowra for the stable, with perennial placegetter Erion running one of the best races of his career.
Still knocking on the door of a maiden victory, the 6YO Rebel Dane gelding had Pierre Boudvillain on board, and finished second, beating home some nice horses in the 1200m Maiden Plate.
The Forbes stable has enjoyed a good recent run, with many of the team close to the mark without winning.
The ever-consistent Bobby’s Secret has been leading the way since resuming from a spell, placing in his past three starts.
Following a third for Emma Ly in the 1200m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Tumbarumba on January 31, the 7YO Bobby’s Kitten gelding has gone agonisingly close in back-to-back Picnic Cup races.
With Eloise Drews in the saddle, the Forbes galloper was beaten 0.43 of a length in the Condobolin Picnic Cup (1400m) on February 21 before he and Paul Zerafa went down by just 0.05 of a length in Saturday’s Tottenham Picnic Cup (1400m).
The six-time winner will be set for another race soon, with a tilt at the $50,000 Picnic Championships Final on the cards later this year.
Also racing well at Tottenham on Saturday was Pluck ‘N’ Spy, with Zerafa riding the 4YO Pluck gelding to his best-ever finish when running second, going down less than a length in the 1400m Class B Handicap.
Harrison and the team will turn their attention to Dubbo on Sunday, where Brandywine, Smokin’ Genie, and Pluck ‘N’ Spy have been nominated to race.
It’s never too late to get involved with the Melissa Harrison Racing team, and we are currently offering lease options in Spunky Reward and Happy Gee Gee.
Raced by Craig Huckel, there is no initial cost to get involved. Craig is simply looking for interested parties to race the mares with him, enjoying the thrill of racing without breaking the bank.
To get involved, email admin@melissaharrisonracing.com.
Words: Jeff Hanson
Image: Racing Photography