DEXTER BREAKS HIS MAIDEN

September 26th, 2008 by Amanda Rando

ABERCROMBIE DEXTER reached a remarkable milestone in his career when winning at Harold Park last Friday night.

The C31 assessed pacer broke his metropolitan status going close on several occasions previously.

Now under the care of New South Wales' leading mentor, Paul Fitzpatrick, the eight-year-old was not handed the race easily.

Teamed up with Fitzpatrick's son Blake for the Tab.com.au Pace over 1760 metres, Abercrombie Dexter had to work forward from the back line.

Taken three-wide to get closer to the action, he then found himself sitting outside the front-runner, The Cassia Kid.

With the $2.00 favourite dictating terms in front the first half was run in 62.8 seconds (32.1, 30.7).

At the bell, the leading pair were going stride-for-stride with the third quarter 28.9 seconds.

Engaged in a titanic tussle, the pair staged a tremendous duel down the stretch, with Abercrombie Dexter narrowly gaining the verdict, in a 27.8 second fast last quarter. Eddie The Eagle was four metres away third.

"The horse went really well," Fitzpatrick stated.

"He has been consistent but some weeks he's tended to go a little better than other weeks.

"Blake drove him aggressively and I think the horse needs that. He also likes to race up front."

Clocking 1:58.2 the son of Panorama now boasts 45 wins and 41 placings from 146 starts for earnings of $187,211.

The win also provided the Cawdor stable with a double on the night as Drumfire took out the Sky Racing Pace over 2160 metres.

"Drumfire has done an excellent job this year," Fitzpatrick declared.

"Luckily with the scratching we were able to come out of a better gate and get the lead.

"He'll mainly aim at the M0 races and go through his metropolitan grades."

Sired by Aces N Sevens, which provided three of the eight winners at the Glebe circuit on Friday night, Drumfire has had 12 starts and has only missed out on running in the top three once.

Not only did Blake drive those two winners for his father, he took home a treble on the night, saluting with the Paul Lasnick mentored Cant Bluff Me.

TOP SCRIBE CALLS TIME ON HIS CAREER

September 26th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

HIGHLY respected journalist Bill Ellis has called it a day.

A veteran with Sydney's Daily Telegraph for 44 years, Ellis was the chief harness racing writer at the publication up until last week, when he called time on his career.

The last of the 'golden generation' of journalists who worked through the halcyon days of the sport, Ellis leaves the Telegraph as one of the finest ambassadors for harness racing not only in the media, but as a trainer, driver, owner and breeder.

"Retiring had been on the cards," Ellis said earlier this week.

"People had been asking me for some time how long I was going to continue working for.

"I thought to myself as long as I was fit, healthy and wanted to continue, that I would keep going.

"Unfortunately, the newspaper industry is undergoing major restructuring at the moment with Fairfax shedding plenty of jobs, so it will inevitably be the same situation as News Limited.

"With that in mind, I thought now was the right time to retire."

The 66-year-old first began his association with harness racing when working as a cadet for NATIONAL TROTGUIDE before being approached to take up a position with the Telegraph.

"I was still at school at the time when I was working for Trotguide," he said.

"Then, just before the TAB came into the picture, the Telegraph needed someone to cover harness racing.

"They called me in for an interview and I must have done something right because before I knew it, I had the job."

Having covered harness racing for a number of years, Ellis said there are too many highs to remember, however, there was one that stuck out when speaking to NATIONAL TROTGUIDE last Monday.

"Caduceus winning the Inter Dominion at Harold Park in 1960 is something I will never forget," he recalled.

"Over 50,000 people crammed into Harold Park which would be impossible to do now.

"At the time, I lived in Annandale so I caught the tram to the Trotguide office, which was on the corner of Pyrmont Bridge Road and Ross Street.

"Usually it would take you about 10 minutes to get on course and into the media room. That day, it took me over an hour and I ended up missing the first race too!

"Star Peak won the opening event on that night and it was owned by the late Linden Huntley Little, whose daughter is Lynette Philpott and runs the series at Bulli now to honour her father.

"We have known each other since those days."

As much as that proved to be one of the highlights of his career as a journalist, an equally memorable moment, but at the opposite end of the spectrum, was the Chris Gleeson affair.

Ellis said his life ban was something that rocked all facets of the industry.

"That was a huge disappointment," he stated.

"Chris had a lot to offer the sport and was a young, enthusiastic guy who was getting plenty of winners.

"He was great for the industry and even better to the media.

"He was the type of person someone in the media could use as a tool to promote the industry, such was the high opinion people had of him."

While covering many highs and lows during his four decades as a scribe, Ellis also has seen a few 'firsts', including last year's outbreak of equine influenza which saw racing cease in New South Wales and Queensland.

"That is something that simply shouldn't have happened," he said.

"Considering it was a case of negligence on behalf of someone at the quarantine station, all the problems that occurred after it was a real shame on the entire racing industry."

Many harness racing writers cannot boast the curriculum vitae of Ellis simply because, he did it all, including having his share of winners as a participant.

Having trained the winner of the 1980 Tatlow Stakes in NSW, Winsome Star also provided him with a record that is destined never to be broken. And believe it or not, Ellis has also driven a Cups performer too!

"She is the only filly to win the Tatlow," he exclaimed.

"After that, the Tatlow was only run for colts and geldings but prior to that, it was an open race.

"She was driven by Cyril Caffyn, who I regarded as one of the best reinsmen. For me, he had no peer as a driver.

"His father, Jimmy, and I went on to be great friends and he was one of the few natural horsemen that I knew of.

"Definitely one of the all-time greats.

"I was also privileged enough to drive a Cups class horse in New Zealand at the trials one day. Cecil 'CC' Devine found out I was in New Zealand and knew I had my licence, so he gave me a drive on Sun Seeker - that was one of the highlights of my career."

Ellis has made too many friends to name here, but wherever he was at the track, you could sure to find legendary journalists Bill Whittacker and Harry Pearce close by.

"Bill and I were actually rivals because he was working for the Herald when I was at the Telegraph," Ellis commented.

"That didn't matter though because we always got along and were great mates.

"Harry was Deputy Editor at the Trotguide when I was there and I have to say, those two are the main ones I really looked up to."

While his tenure at the Daily Telegraph is now over and he is 'retired', Ellis says he doesn't want to drop off the radar completely and one of his main ambitions is to actually become a member of the NSW Harness Racing Club.

"I don't want to drop out of the sport - harness racing is my life," he stated.

"Now, when I go to race meetings, I will be able to go at my leisure without having to worry about deadlines and such.

"I wouldn't mind continuing to work for publications like the Gazette because it will still keep me in the fold.

"What I do want, however, is to gain membership to the NSWHRC.

"I had the chance to do so previously many years ago, but I didn't take it up because of what could've been perceived as a conflict of interest."

Harness racing coverage won't be the same without Ellis commentating on the news in the mainstream media. His knowledge and influence will be sorely missed throughout the media circle.

NATIONAL SELECTION PANEL STILL WAY OFF

September 26th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

THE reality of a national selection panel ultimately determining the makeup of some of our biggest races is still only a pipedream, however, is something that may be considered.

The idea of a selection panel picking the fields for races such as the World Cup, SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and Hunter Cup, Trans-Tasman and Queensland Pacing Championship has been floated for some time but never really taken off.

With the inaugural World Cup being conducted at Menangle Park in April next year, however, the debate over whether such a panel should be in place or not has been reignited.

High-profile media personality Adam Hamilton has been passionate about this issue for quite some time and has become somewhat of a flag bearer for a national selection panel to be formed.

He believes if something like that was put in place it would greatly boost the integrity and image of the sport.

"I have been passionate about this issue for a long time," Hamilton said.

"In regards to the World Cup, I don't think it should be a Harold Park issue for selecting the field.

"They own the Miracle Mile but I believe the World Cup belongs to the entire industry, and therefore, it shouldn't be the responsibility of the NSWHRC to pick the field.

"It is a huge ask for a committee or board of directors to choose the final field for a race like the World Cup.

"From a perception point of view, a national selection panel would provide transparency and improve the public's perception of our races, which is absolutely vital."

Hamilton suggested that the panel could consist of four to five people and may include retired trainers or drivers. A panel could prevent or alleviate problems with horses being controversially left out of feature races.

"There has been some glaring omissions in some big races in the past," he said.

"Just two that spring to mind are Our Sir Vancelot and Franco Ice being left out of Miracle Miles in the 90s.

"I'm not saying all feature races need to be selected by a panel, just our main ones, like the World Cup, Miracle Mile, Victoria Cup and Hunter Cup.

"A panel of ex-trainers or drivers and maybe handicappers from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria could be appointed to pick these fields."

As the situation currently stands, the World Cup field will be chosen by the NSW Harness Racing Club, who are hosting the $1million event.

Club Chairman Rex Horne said he believed that the current system, where each of the States handicappers pick the majority of their respective feature races, some in consultation, was acceptable and didn't need to be altered.

He continued by saying that if a national selection panel is something which would help the professionalism and integrity of the sport, then it would be an issue discussed at board level.

"My thoughts are we have handicappers in each State and they know each horse and the form quite thoroughly," Horne said.

"They pick their racing fields for the majority of the year so I cannot see why they can't continue doing so for feature races.

"I think the conducting Club, such as us for the World Cup, should have some input though because the directors do have knowledge of the horses, form etc also.

"If a national panel is going to help the professionalism and image of the sport though, then it is something I believe should be looked at."

Horne said he would be happy to see delegates from New South Wales and Queensland come together and form a committee to select the field for the World Cup.

"That is my personal opinion, however, it hasn't been discussed at board level yet so I cannot speak on behalf of the directors of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club," he said.

"I wouldn't mind seeing New South Wales and Queensland come together and form a committee for the World Cup, considering they are hosting the event between themselves.

"With that, I would also have one or two others on the panel with intimate knowledge of the form."

While Horne was open-minded about floating the idea of a national selection panel, the same couldn't be said for the World Cup's visionary, Kevin Seymour AM.

Seymour has thrown his considerable weight behind the Watpac Inter Dominion and World Cup next year, and believes there is no need for a national selection panel for any feature races.

"The World Cup is being run under the control of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club and it's their responsibility, not the responsibility of anyone who is promoting the event, to lay down the selection criteria for the race," he declared.

"Harold Park has a strong history of selecting fields for their feature races, such as the Miracle Mile, so I believe they are in a good position to do so for the World Cup.

"I don't know why you would need a selection panel to choose the fields for the biggest feature races on the calendar.

"They don't do that for the Melbourne Cup in the gallops, so I don't see why there would be a need to do so for our biggest races."

Seymour said that although controversy can sometimes arise with horses being left out of Group races, that it was that same controversy which has traditionally been used as a promotional tool in industry and mainstream media.

"Controversy has always been a promotional tool," he stated.

"I would not interfere in the selection process of the World Cup. It's being run in New South Wales - it's their event."

Harness Racing Victoria Chief Executive, John Anderson, couldn't understand the logic in establishing a national selection panel.

Having qualifying events which allow exemption into races such as the Victoria and Hunter Cups has proven to be very popular, with the Victorian handicapper then ultimately deciding the final makeup of the field.

"We would not support a selection panel of any kind being established for feature racing," Anderson stated.

"We are quite satisfied with the current system that rests on the panel of each individual State.

"The rankings for the Inter Dominion, for example, are determined by the host State and that is something which shouldn't be changed.

"As for the Miracle Mile, we don't have a problem with the way it is selected. We have a similar situation with the Victoria Cup.

"There is always going to be debate over the final makeup of the field, more so, the last few horses to get into these races.

"This also happens at the gallops."

Damian Raedler, Manager Racing Operations for Harness Racing Queensland, echoed the sentiments of Anderson and Seymour, by declaring there would not be a push for a national panel from the Sunshine State.

"Definitely not," Raedler said.

"Retailers of the product fund the racing and the conducting clubs put on the racing, so they should have input as to who competes in their features.

"The controlling bodies in each State currently determine who races in their events and that is the way it should be.

"There is nothing wrong with the way the Miracle Mile field has been determined all these years. Sure there has been controversy in the past, but it has generated plenty of good publicity for harness racing.

"As for the World Cup, the conducting club should determine the overall makeup of the field.

"Next season, when it is held in Queensland, the Albion Park Harness Racing Club will adopt that responsibility."

NSWHRC Chief Executive John Dumesny was more interested in who would be likely candidates for such a selection panel.

"Matters which come to mind are conflicts of interest, past alliances, current knowledge etc," he stressed.

"The process adopted for the Miracle Mile in my opinion is pretty foolproof.

"We go out and secure recommendations from handicappers, take advice from media representatives, seek opinions from respected current and past horsemen who have no known conflict of interest and then compile a list.

"The rest is up to the current form of the horses based on the judgment of their respective connections of when and where and against what other horses they race.

"The Directors of the Club have got it right so far, so why change?

"When it comes down to it, really the problem only arises with the last horse in or the horse which just missed out and when the Miracle Mile was only a six-horse field, there were plenty of arguments, either way, now it is eight horses and there is little dissention.

"I must admit, however, the World Cup is difficult as there are initially only two horses each to be invited from New Zealand, Australia and the Northern Hemisphere, so this selection process may be open to discussion.

"The Directors will consider this aspect tomorrow (Wednesday, yesterday) at the board meeting.

"However, there is a simple way of approaching the situation - he who pays, gets to play!" Dumesny concluded.

DIVISIVE TO ADD SPICE TO BATTLE ROYALE

September 26th, 2008 by Andrew Georgiou

THREE of New South Wales' finest pacers will do battle for the second time in three weeks in this Friday night's $20,500 Wanless Wastecorp Kevin Robinson Memorial Cup over 2160 metres at Harold Park.

It will be Round Two of the Karloo Mick versus Special Albert versus Make Me Smile fight, however, there is an interesting newcomer to the race that is certain to add his share of spice - Divisive.

The Inter Dominion runner-up will have his first race start since finishing second to Blacks A Fake in the $750,000 final in March earlier this year.

Having enjoyed a leisurely trial at the Glebe circuit last Friday night between races, Divisive will be ready for a dogfight this week.

The majority of his opponents, including stablemate Comical Star, have race fitness on their side.

Round One of this intriguing battle went the way of Special Albert, which led at Newcastle a fortnight ago before handing up the front to Karloo Mick. In a driving finish, he out sprinted his opponent then held off Make Me Smile at the wire.

Barry Lew, who trains another Inter Dominion runner-up in Karloo Mick, has come up with the pole with his pacer but is concerned at the prospect of being locked away at the start.

"My bloke begins fairly well but the other two (Make Me Smile and Special Albert) begin with wings on their feet," he said.

"I may be in between a rock and hard place here because I don't want to be stuck on the pegs.

"If I can pop off early enough, if I get crossed, then it will be better for our chances.

"Then I suppose you have to factor in Peter's (Rixon) horse, which will be up there at some point.

"It is going to be an outstanding race and to gather a collection of pacers as good as that is a pretty good effort."

Lew admitted he was a little disappointed with Karloo Mick's effort at Newcastle last start, however, said he has been working on a few things during that time which he hopes have improved his pacer slightly.

"He should be ready to give them a big fright," he stated.

Divisive will head into the race with two trials under his belt and he traditionally performs exceptionally well fresh.

The son of Live Or Die has either won or placed in each of his first-up runs throughout his career, and in a remarkable statistic, has only been unplaced twice in 37 starts