Former Wagga Heat basketballer Andrew Moore enjoyed his return to the city as a part-time harness racing trainer on Friday when his mare Sophie Stening caused a boilover at Wagga trots.
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The Albury-based Moore has just two horses in work and Sophie Stening made it more than worthwhile with a flying finish to win the first of the Harness Racing NSW Series heats (1755m) at a starting price of $26 (and paying more than $46 on the tote).
“I thought she went super,” Moore said. “It’s good to win a race with her.”
“She’s been going good, running good sectionals, but just had no luck. Today she got a bit of luck and finished off good.”
Driver Jordan Seary worked Sophie Stening across from gate four to a spot on the fence, three back and then peeled out in the straight to run down the Trevor White trained-and-driven, Trevor ($9), and pacesetter, Trunkey Jack ($2.30), driven by Blake Jones.
“Oh, great drive. Jordy’s a real good kid. I love putting him on. He loves the game, he loves the horses, and you give these young kids a go and that’s what happens every now and then,” Moore said.
Out of Jackie Kelly, Sophie Stening is a half-sister to the brilliant Frith and was previously trained by Bernie Kelly.
It was her first win (as well as six placings) in 10 months with Moore and qualifies the five-year-old for next Friday’s $10,000 Rewards Series Final (1755m) at Wagga.
Sophie Stening won in a mile rate of 2.00.8. David Druitt’s Elect To Rock ($2.15f) won the second heat with a rate of 1.58.3, from Mal Diebert’s Cams A Million and Raymond Turner’s Little Archie.
Moore went to Albury years ago for a season of basketball with the Albury-Wodonga Bandits but never came home. He played more than 100 games for the Bandits but harness racing is the passion these days.
And visits back to Wagga are even sweeter if it’s with a winning trotter.
“I just enjoy the horses. It’s good fun.”
