Betty Bounces Back To Gr1 Best

For all those connected with Harness Racing throughout Australasia Friday nights Gr1 Queen Of Hearts run at Alexandra Park was truly one of the most remarkable wins on record. Back in April 2011 only hours after winning the Gr1 Victorian Oaks star filly Bettor Cover Lover suffered one of the most publicised & serious injuries, which not only had her race career in doubt but also her life. After 8 months painstaking rehab, countless hours Hayden Cullen spent walking her along with the collective best wishes & TLC from everybody directly and indirectly connected “Betty” returned to the track & her adoring fans
 
Opting for a tilt at a Gr1 first up wouldn’t be the choice of many with such an invaluable broodmare prospect but her co trainer/driver Brett Mangos who knows Betty inside and out thought differently. Owners Trevor & Colleen Lindsay of WA trusted Brett’s judgment implicitly "She's come back from almost dust straight to the top and I'm just so thankful. "I have enormous respect for Brent and how he prepared her. I kept saying are you sure you don't want to go for a softie first and run in a little race at Cambridge? ". Last Friday night along with all those on track or watching on TV, everybody sat fingers crossed as the gate pulled away Brett drove her forward 3 wide rounding the turn, moving into the one out line, being headed 3 times throughout to end up one out 3 back buried in traffic. As the field turned for home gaps opened up, Carabella sprinting to the lead with Bettor Cover Lover some 5 lengths off the NZ Harness Horse Of The Year. With the urgings of the entire crowd behind them the champion daughter’s of Bettor’s Delight rekindled one of sports’ greatest modern day rivalries, on the line only  ½ neck separating the two with Betty taking home the spoils on the night, capping of a truly amazing recovery. I know I can speak for all those in racing when I say Congratulations and Welcome back Betty, we’ve all missed you !
 
Alexandra Park Friday was filled with Woodlands Stud highlights when Bettor’s Delight sired the trifecta in race two the Euroglass $19,700 3YO & Older fillies with Charles Roberts bred / Woodlands Partnership Syndicate 4YO Victors Delight beating Southwind Arden, Minnie Moose 3rd.  In race three the $23,499  Breckon Bloodstock Young Guns Series pace Ohokas Punter (Bettor’s 2YO)  rated 1:57.4 to score. In the $49k Alabar Classic American Ideal 3YO  Ideal Scott ran 3rd, then in the fillies division Bettor’s 3YO Cheer The Lady ran 2nd, Bettor Cover Lover & Carabella ran the Bettor’s sired quinella in the Gr1 Queen of Hearts with Your Good Fortune running a close 2nd in race 12 a $19.7k pace.
 
Saturday at Winton Bettor’s 4YO Dream Out Loud won the Macca Lodge Junior Drivers Mobile (Poacher 3rd), Princess Delight beat Pembrook’s Delight in the following race (Bettor’s quinella). Sunday 4YO Bettor’s Delight mare Nicole Vaidisova won at Wanganui TC then across at Rangiora HRC Pegasus Spur 4YO Frisson won a $5k 2600m trot, Ruben (3YO Bettor’s) won the next a 3YO & Older, Bettor’s Fire then saluted in a $6.5k 3YO & Older Pace, 4YO Mel Gibson (Pegasus Spur) won race 5 the Jack Behrn’s Memorial
 
In Australia, Bettor’s 4YO Our Silver Dollar won at Charlton, Lisharry made it back to back wins at Gloucester Park with Heavens Delight winning first up in the last, Bettor’s 4YO Tara Top Lady won at Ballarat, Pegasus Spur 3YO Cookeyslass won at Bendigo, American Ideal 3YO Obahma Joy won at first start @ Penrith, Bettor’s 4YO’s Benazir Bhutto won at Bathurst, Ohokas Boston won at Globe Derby & Mabrook rated 1:53.5 to score along with 6YO Bettor’s Roman Stride both winning at Menangle Park Sat night.
 
On a extremely sad note harness racing NZ was shocked by the sudden death of Woodlands Assistant Stud Master Louise Pallin Tuesday night 13th Dec, killed in a tragic car accident while returning home. Louise will be sadly missed by everybody at Woodlands with our condolences & sympathy going out to Louise’s family and friends at this time.