Junior posts first pacing cup win

In-form junior reinsman Jordan Leedham has broken through for his maiden harness racing Pacing Cup win, with Hes Under Wraps in yesterday’s Boort Pacing Cup.

Leedham pushed the Andy Gath trained pacer to the front from barrier two in the $14,500 feature, and it proved a winning move, with the former New Zealander able to hold off the swoopers, South Australian visitor Stratofortress and Imnopumpkin.

Hes Under Wraps (Terror To Love -Diamond Dancer) posted a 56.5 last half around the tight Boort circuit. He went awkwardly around the final turn, before a composed Leedham was able to balance him up and get to the line a half head clear.

“I’m rapt to get a country cup. You love winning any race, but a cup is special and it’s always nice to get a first,” Leedham said.

“Kate (Gath) was originally down to drive the horse, but when she had to be in Syndey for clients at the yearling sales, Andy gave Brad Chisholm and I the drives at Boort,” he said.

Leedham and Chisholm work for the Gath stable and were despatched for the Boort road trip yesterday.

“I drove Hes Under Wraps at Melton a few weeks ago and he ran third, but he got hammered all the way. He did a great job, so I knew he was tough, and he showed that today,” Leedham said.

“I’m just grateful to Kate and Andy for this opportunity, and all the opportunities we get working for the stable.”

It was the second victory for Hes Under Wrap since beginning his Australian racing career a little over 12 months ago, and his fifth lifetime win. In addition to the two Australian victories, in his 14 starts for the Gath stable, the pacer has also posted seven placings, predominantly in metropolitan class events.

The Boort Club’s Cup meeting was supported by a large and enthusiastic crowd that enjoyed a long-overdue cup carnival atmosphere for the pacers and trotters cups.

Capable square gaiter Garshaway (Bad Boy Truscott – Left One Eye Out (Straphanger) scored his first win in more than four years in the trotters feature, at the long odds of $66.

“He was in the paddock for probably three years, until we finally got him back into work and sent him to Laura to train,” said Gary McCabe, who races Garshaway with his partner Leanne Cole.

“He’s a seven-year-old now, but hopefully after such a long time off he is getting to something near his best again.”

Garshaway was driven by Crossland’s partner Damian Wilson, and began faultlessly from the stand from barrier three.

The pair settled behind the Western Districts-trained trotter Show Me the Moolah and they stayed in the same position until the home turn in the 2612 metre event. Wilson was able to pop off Show Me The Moolah’s back at the top of the straight, and worked home determinedly to score by a neck. Third was the Jason McNaulty-trained Travel Bug.

“We’re just rapt with how he went today. He’s a really handy old horse and his run in the Wedderburn Cup a few weeks back when we never really got out was huge,” Crossland said.

“We’ll definitely be looking at more features like this for him – he’s a lovely horse to have in the stable.”

By Terry Gange for Harnesslink