In the sensational 70s and exciting 80s, Rex Vanstone was a household name in South Australian harness racing through the deeds of the likes of Bonnie Eden and Flyover to name just two.

Vanstone, now in his late 70s, still has an interest in harness racing and was talked into being a part-owner again by his friend Jaimie Braidwood, a former racecaller.

“We purchased Framework Salute, a trotter from Victoria, in early 2014 and I told Rex he could have a share,” Braidwood said. “He said it was the first time he had owned a trotter.

“We went down to Strathalbyn to see Framework Salute race and he galloped about four times in the run and Rex said he then realized why he had never had a trotter.”

On Saturday night, Framework Salute was on his best behavior scoring an all-the-way win in the AMC Commercial Cleaning Trotters Mobile (1800m).

Backed from as much as $10 into $4.50, Framework Salute scored a one metre win from Hard Done By ($3.40) with His Bluffen ($2.50 fav) six metres away third.

The six-year-old is trained and was driven by David Smith whose wife Ingrid is also a part-owner.

Smith allowed Framework Salute to bowl along on front and explained the gelding had a few peculiarities.

“When Jamie bought him we looked at the videos and saw his manners weren’t the best but he did have nice speed,” Smith said.

“Now that we have him doing it right, it is a case of just letting him trot – if you hold him up he can just give it away.

“Also there is no doubt his best trip is around 1800 metres and we don’t have too many over that distance but hopefully we can put a bit of stamina into him.”

by Graham Fischer