Grey Cadillac just keeps winning as he nears the $200,000 stake.

One of the most endearing aspects of harness racing is the ability of our standardbreds to continue racing seemingly well beyond their average racing life.

The most obvious examples are the old marvels Bulletproof Boy and Max Delight (the latter taking out the Nullabor in Perth earlier this year).

But over the years the sight of the large grey gelding Grey Cadillac (Rocknroll Hanover) at Penrith has been a constant highlight for harness racing fans.

And on Thursday night the striking veteran now twelve years old that stands nearly 17 hands in height gave yet another polished performance taking out the Download Tab App Pace at Penrith.

Starting from the second line, it didn’t take long for driver Cooper Griffiths to come off the fence and make his customary move early on to tackle the leaders. Continuing on, Grey Cadillac headed off leader Nitro Danny who surrendered the lead at the bell.

The question that everyone was asking was whether he could keep going on. Recently he has been doing just that and again it was no exception as he booted clear on the final bend. Being driven right out by Griffiths, Grey Cadillac packed too many guns at the finish to defeat Rocksie Rock and Diletto.

GREY CADILLAC 28 MAY REPLAY

Grey Cadillac has the remarkable record of 235 times for 27 wins and 37 placings for just on $199,606 in prizemoney, a wonderful achievement for the gelding who started his stellar career at Globe Derby a decade ago as a two year old. And he didn’t win until his fourteenth race start as a four year old at Mount Gambier. He was well bred as his dam Lombo Regalia took out the South Australian Pacing Oaks in easy style.

Having previously raced in South Australia and Victoria, it was just under four years ago that Grey Cadillac as an eight year old entered the stables of well known trainer Troy Williams.

I just had a group of owners that wanted to purchase a tough big striding horse like him that would be suited to the lower grade style of racing at Penrith.

He likes Penrith because he has to be driven tough or in front.

But like all horses Grey Cadillac has a mind of his own.

He’s got a character that can be very annoying to drivers , you need to have your wits around you all the time. And he doesn’t like being washed. But he’s certainly got a following.

We plan to just keep him going around Penrith. He’s been sound all the way through. And as he races so often we don’t need to work him too hard.

One of the highlights of his career with Willliams was when he went to Albion Park in February earlier this year to give leading reinsman James Herbertson a winning drive on his way to taking out the Ultimate Drivers Championship. That night Grey Cadillac showing his usual relentless charge around the field went his fastest recorded time in 1.53.9.

It’s obvious that Grey Cadillac will let his connections know when he’s ready to go to the paddock for good. But in the meantime harness racing patrons will at least in the short term get to see this favourite son of Penrith for a while yet and there’ll be more of his trademark tough runs to come.

And while he won’t ever achieve the likes of the better known Max Delight and Bulletproof Boy the story of Grey Cadillac is one of a devoted trainer and connections and a horse that just doesn’t know when to stop racing and has a loyal following at Penrith. And that’s what makes our harness racing sport so special.

 

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink