After proudly displaying the Harden Picnic Race Cup at their BP Service Station in Harden since last years Picnic Races, Robyn Smith and Peter Joseph were looking for a good run from their horse ‘Spirited Choice’ to retain the cup.
But it wasn’t to be, as the seven year old ‘Pass it On’ ran a strong race to finish five lengths clear of the field and three seconds faster than last years winner.
The seven year old ‘Pass it On’ hails from Batemans Bay and is part owned by Brian and Anna Russell and Oyster Farmer Bernie Connell who is also the trainer.
Bernie trains and breeds horses in his spare time for a hobby, and ‘Pass It On’ is the progeny of ‘She’s Swell’ who clocked up one win in her time.
‘Pass It On’ has had 44 starts for five wins, five seconds and eight third placings and also holds the Class record at Queanbeyan over 1460m and was the fastest horse at Gundagai over 1180m over the last 10 years and narrowly missed out on the Gundagai track record by .008 seconds.
An ecstatic Brian Russell said the horse had been a good earner and has provided the owners with a lot of fun.
“We have run him in some harder races, but we had never then in a Picnic race meet anywhere before, the distance was appealing so we thought we would give it a shot”, Brian said.
It was the third run for the horse since an eight month spell and Brian admits that trainer Bernie isn’t too keen on training through the colder months as he is too busy with the oysters.
‘Pass It On’ ran last in its previous start after missing the start on a hot, dry track at Queanbeyan. “The horse just ate dust for most of the race and didn’t have the best run”, Brian said.
But it was a great turn around for the horse at Harden and Brian said the Harden Picnic Race Cup was a fantastic win especially to win by five lengths which indicate he still has a few wins left in him.
Brian said they felt really confident that ‘Pass It On’ it would win, a sentiment shared by legendary jockey Malcolm Johnston who tipped it for the punters club.
Although confident the owners could only put $400 on the horse to win, but with the 7:1 odds it will
certainly help to pay a few feed
bills.
Brian said it was a great day all up at the picnics, “It was classic bush racing and was everything we could imagine, with all the girls dressed up for the day complete with dusty shoes, the race was well run and all the horses and jockey’s were safe which all made for an incredible atmosphere, a day to remember’.
Brian said he would like to thank the Harden Picnic Race Cub Committee and everyone who worked behind the scenes for a great day, and special thanks to trainer Bernie’s offsider and neighbour Warren for all the work he has put into preparing the horse.
They are looking forward to the Cooma Cup in two weeks time and also returning to Harden Picnics next year to defend the title if all goes well.
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