by Wayne Currall
Friday night’s $100,000 Owners Only Westbred 2YO Colts & Geldings Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park is a prime example of why it’s never been easier to own a runner in a Group 1 feature.
Likely favourite Rock Me Over, drawn in gate five, is owned by Pacing WA – a syndicate formed by long-time harness racing enthusiast Ross Waddell. Over the past two years, Waddell has bought horses at the Perth yearling sales and syndicated the horses. These included Group 1 winners Red Hot Roxy and The Real Ideal. “Many of the owners in Red Hot Roxy are also involved in Rock Me Over,” Waddell said. “We’re having a lot of fun at the moment. And we’re hoping it continues on Friday night with Rock Me Over. “Kat (Warwick, the trainer) says the horse has trained on since his great second behind Jack Mac in the Pearl Classic earlier this month. We’ve all got our fingers crossed that he can do the job.”
Rock Me Over appeals as the horse to beat, despite his awkward draw in the middle of the field. His second behind the richly talented Jack Mac was a sterling effort. Rock Me Over was beaten by 10m, but he beat the rest of the field by a widening 15m and in a race record time of 1:55.9 for the 2130m trip.
Rock Me Over, who has the splendid record of two wins and four placings from his seven starts for earnings of $46,000, also has the services of champion reinsman Gary Hall Jr. He possesses good speed from the mobile, which gives Junior the option of going forward at the start or looking to slot in and finish over the top of them in the straight. “I’m enjoying getting new owners involved in harness racing,” Waddell said. “We’re lucky here in WA that we have the best venue in Australasia to watch the sport. Gloucester Park is a family-friendly track where everyone can have fun.”
Waddell’s Pacing WA and Trotsynd Pty Ltd, Gloucester Park’s licensed syndication arm, earlier this year entered into an exciting new partnership. They bought horses at March’s Perth yearling sales and are in the process of syndicating the pacers. “I couldn’t be happier with our new partnership,” Waddell said. “Pacing WA has had a lot of success introducing new owners to the sport, but the new partnership with Trotsynd should take it to another level.”
Trotsynd secretary and the WA Trotting Association CEO Michael Radley agrees. “It’s an exciting opportunity,” Radley said. “We looked at what Ross had done over the past two years and we think we can help grow the ownership base through the new partnership. Our discussions have been around how we can improve the ownership experience. Syndicate members will receive regular newsletters and video updates on the horse during the breaking-in, trialling and hopefully racing and winning. There will also be social functions held for the new owners.”
A prospectus on horses offered for syndication can be viewed on the Gloucester Park website www.gloucesterpark.com.au and expressions of interest can be made to info@gloucesterpark.com.au
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
