Former accomplished trotter Waikare Aristocrat and nine times-winning pacer Kenny Trickem have made a seamless transition to new lives under saddle and are set to appear at Horsham’s flagship community event as ambassadors for Harness Racing Victoria’s HERO Program.

Cup patrons will have an up close and personal opportunity to meet both horses as a part of an exciting new promotion titled “Pat Your HERO”.

Waikare Aristocrat has been involved with HERO since its inception.

The now 10yo, trotting-bred gelding notched up 15 wins and $124,160 in stakes from 69 starts before retiring in July 2015.

The handsome black regularly attends country cup and feature race meetings, thrives on human attention and aptly demonstrates the Standardbred’s renowned temperament according to HERO program manager Tanya McDermott, whose family bred and raced the trotter.

“Toff is a real people’s horse but has a special affinity with children,” she explained.

“He likes nothing better than getting out and about and has travelled to all parts of the state to promote HERO.

“He is also an accomplished show performer and enjoys trail and recreational rides. When he’s not working for HERO, he is an excellent nanny, babysitting his yearling niece.”

Kenny Trickem was a favourite of trainer Luke Bryant’s stable and has recently completed his re-education for riding.

He has a magnificent nature and is very laid back under saddle. The son of Stonebridge Regal last raced in September 2017 and is now available for sale to a loving forever home.

“Kenny is a gem. His racing owners were passionate about finding him the perfect life after racing opportunity and he will be the ultimate trail riding companion for his new owner,” McDermott said.

Now in its third year, HERO (Harness Education and Rehoming Opportunities) create positive pathways for Standardbreds exiting racing, catering both for horses which have concluded their career and those which do not make it to the track.

“HERO works directly with the harness racing industry, its breeders, owners, trainers and drivers,” McDermott explained.

“Since HERO’s inception, the support from all sectors of the harness racing community has been extraordinary, and as a result, more Standardbreds than ever before are being placed into loving, life after racing homes.”

For further information about the HERO Program, visit www.hrvhero.com.au, email hrvhero@hrv.org.au or phone 0407 413 156.

A small but select field of seven pacers will line up behind the mobile gate on Sunday afternoon to contest the $50,000 Group 2 Horsham Pacing Cup.

The septet has collectively won 134 races and earned $2,720,00 in stakes during their careers. 

No doubt the standout is Emma Stewart's five-year-old gelding Shadow Sax, which will be driven by premier reinsman Chris Alford.

In a wonderful campaign, this season Shadow Sax has already captured the South Australian Pacing Cup and Victorian country cups at Stawell, Geelong and Cranbourne. A victory at Horsham on Sunday would almost certainly see the pacer take out the 2017-18 Trots Country Cups Championship.

Shadow Sax is undoubtedly Grand Circuit material in the form he is in right now. His Melton Plate win was breathtaking and it’s hard to see any horse in this field wanting to park him so he should simply lead and win.  Messini will be better suited around this track over the staying trip so he deserves to be favoured for second place. Berisari is a top quality mare who is at her best right now while Kotare Roland is racing well and Lets Strike the Gold creates interest for the minor money.

*Form overview by Blake Redden

WIMMERA WALLY

Last return: $90.80 @ Ararat gallops. Balance: $916.70.

Best bet: R10 No 4 Major Powers $3 eachway. Value bet: R2 No 9 Jules Peach $3 eachway. Multi bet: R6 quinella No 6 with 2,3,4,7 spend $8.