Australia's big daddy of pacing, Lennytheshark rolled into Menangle to have a shot at the fastest short race in the country, the Miracle Mile, and although he failed to win, he went down with all guns blazing. From across the Tasman Sea came the latest gun raider from New Zealand, a smallish horse with a giant heart, Have Faith In Me. They were two of the three big chances in what is an invitational race. It's an event that annually brings together the top eight standard bred horses in Australasia. When the clock stopped, Have Faith In Me had posted a time never before seen in this part of the world.
Wow, tremendous finish by Have Faith In Me, that is some pacer, many thanks for clip. As you know, we only have the trotting gait in Europe, so here is a shot of this year's top event, the 2016 Prix d'Amérique over 2700m at Vincennes, Paris, on 31st January, won by the continent's top trotter, Bold Eagle. Beautiful drive by Franck Nivard, who gradually worked the horse to the front in the big field, and once there, he just can't be passed. Cyc, one could also call this your annual French lesson, what a commentary, hardly understood a word of it myself. http://www.drf.com/news/harness-bold-eagle-wins-prix-damerique Unfortunately, Bold Eagle failed in his attempt to win French trotting's Triple Crown of the Prix d'Amérique, Prix de France, and the Prix de Paris. Last Sunday, in the latter event, he was beaten by the Norwegian-owned and French-trained trotter Lionel, driven by the Swedish ace Orjan Kihlstrom. Click 'here' on last line of this report for video replay: http://www.drf.com/news/harness-bold-eagle-defeated-lionel-prix-de-paris Don't think Bold Eagle quite saw out the 4150m trip and could not withstand Lionel's (No.6) great finish. Fine drive by the Swede considering his horse, who showed real courage, had a poor position throughout the race. This time no commentary btw.
What a magnificent horse Swanny. He was absolutely bolting down the back. The way the driver was almost lying down just trying to keep Bold Eagle under control was amazing. It was a monster of a win. I noticed the driver looking over his shoulder at the fourth horse in white, he must have thought it a live chance, it ended up running third. I love European trotting, especially at this elite level. It's all about strength and courage. Thanks for the clip mate, I appreciated it.
Tks vm, Cyc, here's Bold Eagle winning the middle one, the Prix de France at Vincennes over 2100m, in which one would say he's unbeatable at this distance. Wet track, drawn on the wide wide outside at the autostart 'off' (almost in the grandstand!), makes no difference, all the same to this great trotter: http://harnessracingamerica.com/bold-eagle-unstoppable-in-prix-de-france/ The second horse, Timoko, is certainly no slouch either.
What a great win. He came wide then sat in the "death seat" outside Timoko, and had the leader covered on the corner. He's a champion alright. I loved his dad Ready Cash, he was the first UE trotter I saw. He was a freak, and I'll go out on a limb and say, he was maybe a bit better than is son....maybe.
