Last Saturday’s Australian Group One winner – On Thunder Road – could take his place in the prestigious $150,000 Group One Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on April 28.
On Thunder Road was simply too good for his Group One opponents in last Saturday night’s $100,000 Australian Trotting Grand Prix at Melton’s Tabcorp Park
The 7-year-old gelding’s owner, Waitara-based Joan Fleming said she would love to bring her horse home to race, but the decision would be left entirely in the hands of his New South Wales trainer and driver Darren Hancock.
“We will talk about it. I know he has it scheduled but it’s just a matter of seeing if it’s viable – or what’s on in Australia. Without being over confident I would say there’s a 50-50 chance at this moment,” said Fleming.
Fleming is now the sole owner after her husband Joe passed away 18 months ago. They also bred On Thunder Road (Bettor’s Delight – All The Way Home) with their son Tony and his wife Carla.
On Thunder Road was the $4.50 second favourite. He trotted the 2240m mobile in 2:43.8 (mile rate 1:57.7). His lead time was 47 flat and his race sectionals were – first quarter: 30.4; second quarter: 28.9; third quarter: 29 even; and fourth quarter: 28.5.
He beat the Kiwi-bred Clover Mac and the Finnish-bred Daryl Boko by 2.5m and 5.7m.
Thunder Road, as he was know in New Zealand, was one of three horses exported to Australia (as a pacer) in January 2013 when he was three. He never raced in New Zealand.
“Joe sent him over un-raced with Authorised and I’ve Gotta Life. We had already built up a good rapport with Darren and had some success. He’s a very good trainer and so good to us.
“It’s just a shame Joe died and never got to see the best of him. It’s quite ironic really because Joe never ever wanted a trotter. He was strictly a pacing man,” Fleming said.
On Thunder Road, who was a free-legged pacer, was starting to go up and down on the one spot and Hancock suggested that he sell him…..that was until one day when he was working him as a galloping pace-maker.
“Darren noticed he was trotting beautifully and then rang us and asked us if he could break him in and change his gait and shoes etcetera. We agreed.”
That was in March 2014 after just seven starts (one win) as a pacer. He was out of a pacing family aka a Holmes Hanover – Miss Piggy (by Noodlum) mare, named All The Way Home.
Fleming never made it to Australia last weekend to watch her pride-and-joy race, but has been several times before to see him do the business.
“I went and watched him get his New South Wales Trotter-of-the-Year award last year and I also saw him in the Great Southern Star and also watched him race on Miracle Mile day.
“I get over as much as I can because the Hancocks are just so nice to us. It’s like a home away from home. They really go out of their way for me,” the Taranaki-based breeder said.
“It’s just a shame Joe can’t be here with me to watch it all unfold. Even though he wasn’t a trotting man I’m sure he’s smiling down on us all now,” she added.
The Grand Prix was On Thunder Road’s 30th win in 60 starts. He has also placed 16 times and has gone a 1:49.9 mile rate. His stake earnings now rest at $377,765.
After multiple Group One placings and several Group two and Three wins, On Thunder Road has now won nailed his Group One victory -13 months after gaining his first in the $100,000 Sew Eurodrive Trotters Cup at Menangle.
The New Zealand favourite Speeding Spur was scratched on race-day from the Grand Prix with a hoof flare-up.
Duane Ranger
