Our Waikiki Beach owners keep hope

Newcastle Harness Racing Club chief executive Tony Drew was hopeful a late bid from the owners of unbeaten star Our Waikiki Beach to find more starters would save the Newcastle Derby.

The Mark Purdon-trained Our Waikiki Beach, a winner of 16 races and $654,421, was a surprise nomination for Saturday night’s Newcastle Derby on Monday. However, the presence of the four-time group 1-winner meant only four others were entered. One was later scratched as NHRC officials searched for trainers willing to pit their three-year-olds against the star and save the race, which needed six runners.

Drew conceded defeat late Monday, saying it was unfortunate Newcastle punters would not see Our Waikiki Beach in action. However, minutes later Drew said the star’s owners had contacted Harness Racing NSW with news they had another starter. Nominations were extended until Tuesday 9.30am. Our Waikiki Beach is also nominated for a C2-C3 race at Newcastle.

The inaugural group 3 Ross Gigg Newcastle Mile had 11 acceptors after receiving 19 nominations. Former Keinbah trainer Shane Tritton nominated seven and accepted with Mach Beauty and Yayas Hot Spot for the race named in honour of the long-serving NHRC chief, who died on May 8, 2014. Tritton’s star mare, Arms Of An Angel, will resume at Menangle on Friday night. 

The field: 1 Shannonsablast, 2 Image Of Courage, 3 Strathlachlan Andy, 4 Dynamite Denn Nee, 5 Alta Jerome, 6 My Jellignite, 7 Mach Beauty, 8 Yayas Hot Spot, 9 Bettor Bet Black, 10 Blazin N Cullen, 11 Expressionist.

Maitland trainer Darren Elder’s Interdominion series runner Shannonsablast, Bobs Farm trainer Geoff Harding’s Strathlachlan Andy and Shortland trainer Glen Powell’s Image Of Courage are the local hopes.

By Craig Kerry

Reprinted with permission of The Newcastle Herald