Believe in Dreams is just that for newcomer owners

These days its more of a challenge persuading potential new owners into harness racing but with persistence and ingenuity there are some initiatives that ultimately pay dividends.

Right in the middle of this development Junee trainer Bruce Harpley and local identity Brett Hogan put the together the concept of bringing in twenty potential owners who had never previously been involved in the sport.

Harpley was to train the syndicate’s choice and in the end Wagga identities Bernie and Dianne Kelly agreed to lease a McWicked gelding out of one of their choice mares Jackie Kelly.

Jackie Kelly was a promising filly who only raced on four occasions for three wins and a second before injury cut short her promising career. Jackie Kelly at stud was the dam of million dollar mare Frith as well as prolific winners Jack Hall, Stenning and Molly Kelly.

After much digging around 17 potential owners signed up and Harpley in order to make up numbers included his daughters Maddison and Brooke.

Believe In Dreams started his career in August last year and in ten starts was placed on five occasions. So he was ready to break through.

BELIEVE IN DREAMS 21 JULY REPLAY

So fast forward to last Tuesday night’s Albury meeting where Believe In Dreams drew the pole. However it presented a dilemma for Harpley as he also had another runner the filly Alwaysbdreaming who he owns with his wife Tash and he was therefore committed to driving Alwaysbdreaming.

Thus he engaged well known local driver Roger Strong to take the reins. And Strong drove a copy book race in front. With his main danger the favourite Rock Spirit caught racing outside the leader Believe In Dreams travelled strongly throughout and he looked in control in defeating Alwaysbdreaming by just under seven metres with Rock Spirit a metre away third.

Believe in Dreams rated 2.1 for the 1770 metre trip with a final quarter in 28.1 seconds and there is sure to be more improvement as he obtains more racing experience.

Harpley commented after the event.

He actually has improved this year. He showed sharpness down the straight. He should have won his first start. We’ll set him for the Blue Series later this year but he’ll probably have a run in the region soon.

The Final of the Group 2 $100,000 feature will be run at Menangle on 21 November.

Harpley was also pleased with the first up effort of Alwaysbdreaming in finishing runner up.

I bought her mother from Yirribee stud in foal. I have always wanted a Bettors Delight mare and this filly is by Always B Miki which is a great cross. She wasn’t broken in until June last year as a two year old. She’s improving all the time. It was her first run under the lights as she had only trialled at Wagga.

Meanwhile Harpley’s promising three year old gelding Neptunite is looking good after his two wins this time in at Wagga. If all goes to plan he will most likely be set for the VicBred series with the first round of heats at Kilmore on 27 August. However its possible that he may have one run before.

But back to Believe In Dreams. Although not all owners were at Albury there would have been a palpable thrill in winning. For many of these owners just to get to the track and race has been a highlight giving them much pleasure and satisfaction.

And despite the cold weather its safe to assume that at his next appearance more of his owners will be there to cheer him on and to experience the joys of owning their own pacer.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink