You could have thrown a blanket over seven horses at the winning post of the Millenium Signs Pace at Tamworth Paceway on Friday night. But it was the old harness racing stager Aces First who prevailed.

Aces First’s Kootingal-based trainer and reinswoman, Sarah Rushbrook, had wondered if there was a Friday the 13th effect on her preparation for the race after she left her racing silks at home.

It was one of the closest finishes seen at Tamworth Paceway.

Aces First won the 1980 metre race by half head from Quincy Storm (Paul Grima) and Jimmy Nga (Ricky Gordon) – who dead-heated for second.

Artistica Uno (Peter Hedges) and race favourite Lehmann (Lola Weidemann) were a further half a neck away in a dead heat for fourth.

Rushbrook had no idea she had won the race, as she was five wide across the track at the finish.

WINNING GRIN: Sarah Rushbrook is all smiles after piloting Aces First to victory. Photo: PeterMac Photography

“My horse is used to being that wide and I knew he kept going. But in all honesty I didn’t think I had won the race as there was a wall of horses when I looked across,” she said.

“I was just excited because of the finish. I was expecting to finish about fourth. When I pulled up, I said to one of the drivers, ‘How good was that finish’. I could not have picked the winner.”

She added: “When one of the driver’s said I had won, I started to get a bit excited. I was shaking, I was that excited.”

Aces First, 12, was having race start 178, and he notched his first win since December 2014. He has to undergo a veterinarian check before each race because of his age. In human years, he is about 43 years old.

“He is a tough old bugger and he doesn’t give up, and he has pulled up brilliant,” Rushbrook said. “Everyone was excited as I was. He is all but famous around here because of his age and his race runs.”

From the eight barrier, Rushbrook was shuffled back in the field – a predicament she is used to.

“That barrier draw suits him,” she said. “I was stoked when I saw the fields come out as it is a good draw for him. He has zero gate speed, so to land where he did in the race was good.

“He is only a one-batter as far as speed goes. He takes a lot of winding up. He will go at the one speed all day, and the race was run to suit him.”

With Terry Barry leading the field and reinsman Scotty-Jon Welsh setting a race tempo of even quarters, Rushbrook was happy.

She commenced her run on the back straight on the final occasion to come around the final turn four wide, before racing five wide down the home straight and gaining momentum.

“He is used to being that wide. I did hear a cheer from the crowd when they posted the eight as the winner,” she said.

“I was impressed to be in that finish. I have never seen or been involved in a finish like that at Tamworth before. It was awesome.”

Julie Maughan

Reprinted with permission of The Northern Daily Leader