"Good lord, We've seen something here" - Rushie

Three and a half years after his first trial win, Rushie finally made it to the races – and made up for lost time with a 33.8-metre demolition of his maiden harness racing rivals at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night.

Patience has been a virtue for the connections of Rushie.

The Sweet Lou gelding showed promise as a two-year-old, winning trials at Pinjarra and Byford within 11 days of each other in April 2023 for trainer Kat Warwick and driver Chris Lewis. Then he disappeared from view.

He resurfaced last week under the care of Dylan Egerton-Green, winning another Pinjarra trial over 2185 metres. Punters took the hint. Rushie firmed in betting to start a $1.12 favourite on debut at Gloucester Park on Tuesday over 2130 metres, and he never gave them a moment’s worry.

From barrier five on the front row, the five-year-old went forward cleanly, crossed Thunder Warrior and settled in front. Egerton-Green was able to dictate terms, rolling through a 38.3 lead time and opening quarters of 30.7 and 30.5.

That was just the warm-up. Rushie stepped up to a 28.9 third quarter, and when Egerton-Green let him go on the home turn he simply sprinted away from his rivals, coming home in a sizzling 26.5.

He crossed the line 33.8 metres clear of Thunder Warrior ($20, Abbey Vidovich), with Just A Pony ($15, Ashleigh Markham) another 14.7 metres back in third.

Race caller Richard Bell summed it up in six words: “Good Lord, we’ve seen something here.”

The winning mile rate was 1:57.1 over the 2130 metres, with Rushie running his last half in 55.4 after a first half of 61.2.

RUSHIE REPLAY

Rushie is out of Janet Gai, by Art Major. He has not been rushed and sterner tests lie ahead. But on this evidence, the long wait looks like it may well be worth it.

 

for complete race results, click here.

From Harnesslink Media