by Duane Ranger (courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Redcliffe’s Paceway’s biggest night of the year on Saturday (June 29) might not have attracted Australia’s best pacer, Leap To Fame, but his withdrawal was vindicated after stablemate and former Trot Rods winner, Aroda won off the front in track record time.
“It was a shame that the champ wasn’t here but we didn’t lose many lose too many patrons because of it. The Paceway was full upstairs and downstairs, and the whole evening was full of excitement with the Group Two Redcliffe Gold Cup, the Group Three Derby and Oaks, as well as the 2yo Sales Series race. It was a very entertaining night with quality racing and fast times,” said Redcliffe Harness Racing Club President, Ring.
“I think Grant Dixon did the right thing scratching Leap To Fame because 30m would have been too big an ask when his stablemate paced the 2,613m stand in 3:12.5 – with a track record 1:58.6 mile rate. I’m pleased for Trista and Grant. Trista, drove the horse perfectly in front. That pace out in front made it difficult for anything to come from behind,” Ring said.
Aroda, who is the younger half-brother (by one year) to last year’s Auckland Cup winner and New Zealand Cup runner-up, Akuta, beat Mr Clooney’s previous track record of 3:13.2 by 0.7 of a second. That was set in an Open Discretionary Handicap on June 16 last year.
Aroda, who drew one, was the $10 sixth favourite. The 4-year-old brown Art Major entire, has now won 10 of his 30 starts and placed in four others ($154,365) since leaving New Zealand in December 2022 – with no wins from four starts.
Ring said Aroda would now have to be one of the most versatile pacers racing in Australasia.
“He’s won over almost every distance and is now a Redcliffe Group Two winner and track record holder. He is a real credit to the Dixons and their owner – GSM Racing Pty Ltd. He hails from the good Christian Cullen mare, Adore Our Dreams, who also produced 5-year-old Akuta (by Bettor’s Delight) who has already won more than $1 million ($1,137,165),” Ring said.
Since his winning debut at Albion Park on December 31, 2022, Aroda has also won two Trot Rod heats over the 947m mobile in 2023 and 2024, and now once from the extreme 2,613m stand. He’s also triumphed over 1660m, 2138m, and 2280m, but is yet to race over Redcliffe’s popular 1,780m mobile.
From one immaculately bred Group winner to another is how you would describe Aroda and the 2024 Redcliffe Oaks champion, Ever Art.
The David Thorn trained and Will Rixon driven Art Major filly proved too good winning the $52,000 Group Three event by 1.2 metres with a 1:55.4-mile rate for the 2,280m mobile.
Ever Art is owned by her Gold Coast breeders Murray Cole and his long-time friend and business partner, Beau Watson. The bay filly is out of their former champion, Forever Gold (1:31.7), who won 42 of her 92 starts and placed 27 times for $700,593 between November 2010 and October 2015.
That 2007 daughter of Famous Forever and Making Gold (Bookmaker) was a multiple Group winning mare, who won 42 of her 92 starts and placed 27 times ($700,593) between March 2010 and October 2015. She nailed the Group One Queensland Oaks and the Triad 2yo Final.
Cole said the lightly tried Ever Art had inherited a lot of her mothers genes and was now the second-best filly that he and Watson had bred and owned.
“I was on-course on Saturday and saw her for just the third time since she was foaled back in September 2020. The first time I saw her was when she was born, then once when she was a 2-year-old and finished second in the Triad up here, and then again on Saturday night.
“It is a big buzz to win any race but the Redcliffe Oaks was special. I’ve done a lot of racing at Redcliffe over the years. I came here from Auckland when I was 19 and this filly is right up there with the best I have bred. I’ll never forget Forever Gold. She was amazing and had 92 starts, whereas Ever Art has only had seven starts, and won four of them (first thee in a row) and placed in the other three
“She will now contest the South-East Queensland Oaks and the Triad before heading back to David Thorn’s stable at Menangle and then prepare for the Vicbred Seres at Melton in early September,” Cole said.
“She’s actually done really well because she missed a lot of work and racing when she was a juvenile due to breathing problems. We had an operation on her throat and she has thrived since,” the 62-year-old Gold Coast businessman said.
Cole said Forever Gold had left four foals for him and Watson, with the best so far being foal four – Ever Art, followed by the 2016 Captain Treacherous gelding, Eternal Gold (1:56.8), who has so far won 10 races and $56,427.
“Beau and I had a ‘clean-out’ of our mares after Ever Art was born and sold Forever Gold to Luke McCarthy Fleur De Lil Trust. She has since left a Capt Midnight yearling filly and a Huntsville weanling filly. She is back in foal to Huntsville. It was just a matter of economics and I wish Luke all the best with her progeny.
“It was a great thrill to win the Oaks and is rewarding to know that Beau and I have a nice filly. Well done to everyone at David’s barn and also the lovely drive by Will ,” said Cole who owns the Queensland company, Kerb and Channel.
Meanwhile, Ring said he was delighted that a local gelding – Ellis Street – claimed the Group Three Derby.
“That was a sensational win for trainer Murray Thomas (Buccan) and his owner/breeders Lin and Laurie Feehely, who have supported the Redcliffe Sales from day one. He is the fifth foal out of their good mare, Party In Paris. I’m pleased for all of them, because they have always been so loyal. Ellis Street is a lovely looking, and fast pacer. He has a very bright future,” Ring said.
The Redcliffe Yearling Sales Series 2yo Final was won by the Darren Weeks trained and Angus Garrad driven Sinabun. It was a fitting result for the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club’s patron, and co-owner Chris Garrard, who hasn’t been well.
“Chris has been a great sponsor of all codes and I’m pleased he won this race,” Ring said.
In summary the President said:
“The was a big crowd upstairs as well as downstairs. It was bigger than last couple of years. The restaurant was full. Even without ‘Big Larry’ (Leap To Fame), the night was a big success. Thanks to everyone, including our committee that made our biggest night a success.”
