Harness racing active in Burra

The mid-north South Australian town of Burra, is currently enjoying an involvement in harness racing.

The Shylad Racing Group, consisting of two electricians and a business manager, is a part-owner of two-year-old filly Celebrity Guest, a winner of the SA BOTRA Xmas in July Two-Year-Old Fillies Southern Cross Heat (1800m) at Globe Derby Park.

David Hook, manager of the syndicate said the Emma Stewart-trained filly was the latest in a great ride in harness racing.

“Dad, Jack, was good friends with Bruce Cameron, and he first got involved quite a few years ago,” David said.

“Bruce keeps breeding these horses and we’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in some smart ones such as Beauty Secret, Secret Life and Lovelist.

“Unfortunately Dad passed away before Beauty Secret really hit her form so that was a bit sad but we are loving our time in the sport and thank Bruce for including us.”

A basically unbackable $1.10 favourite in her Southern Cross heat, Celebrity Guest was expected to have no trouble from gate one but the event proved a more exciting race than many might have expected.

Driven by Danielle Hill, Celebrity Guest began fairly but Hilltop Sophia ($7.30) and Lily Thesinger ($34.90) began well from gates three and five and there was a race to find a leader resulting in a 13 second lead time.

Celebrity Guest managed to hold her rivals out with Hilltop Sophia, the second favourite, sat parked outside the lead.

Hill managed a 32.2 second lead time after the early race, quickened up to a 31.2 second quarter then let Celebrity Guest loose with a smart 27.8 third quarter which most would have thought would have left her rivals in her wake.

Not so, Hilltop Sophia hung her to her coat tails, and more than matched the burst and driver Aaron Bain took advantage of the sprint lane in the home straight to launch a challenge but the winning post arrived.

In a final quarter of 29.4, Celebrity Guest held firm to win by two and a half metres from Hilltop Sophia with Lily Thesinger running very well to be third, 13-and-a-half metres away.

Graham Fischer