Two Narrabri-trained pacers were engaged in a thrilling battle for victory at a Tamworth Harness Racing Club meeting last Thursday at the Tamworth Paceway.
The fifth race of the afternoon on the eight-race card was the 1980-metre Pit Express Pace, in which the Jarred Hetherington-trained Sahara Jewel and the Peter Shepherdson-trained Gojoe were in action.
Sahara Jewel, driven by former Forbes and now-Tamworth reinsman Murray Sullivan, started the race in the back row wearing the number nine saddlecloth, while Gojoe started in the front row donning the number five and was driven by Narrabri reinsman Chris Shepherdson.
The two pacers showed impressive form to place first and second, with three-year-old filly Sahara Jewel finishing fastest as she stormed home less than two metres in front of Gojoe.
To kick off the race, Gojoe and the Ronald Neal-trained, Brad Elder-driven Glen Innes Girl started fastest. Glen Innes Girl established an early lead before Gojoe charged in front and led with two circuits to travel.
The five-year-old gelding was still in front with one lap to go while Sahara Jewel had established herself in a comfortable position in the one-one.
With 400 metres left to run, Sahara Jewel made a move as she overtook Glen Innes Girl and the Anthony Varga-trained-and-driven Navua Girl which were running third and second respectively.
Sahara Jewel and Sullivan went around the final lap three wide as Shepherdson and Gojoe ran comfortably around the inside lane.
The latter then led by about 10 metres when they entered the home straight, however, Sahara Jewel managed to storm home fastest to win the race in style in just her second start since joining the Hetherington stable.
Gojoe also raced for the second time as a Narrabri pacer and has now finished second during both outings for Narrabri owners Neil Drysdale and Chris, Garry and Peter Shepherdson.
Two more Narrabri-trained pacers placed at last Thursday’s Tamworth Harness Racing Club meet.
In race four, which was the 1609-metre Peter Mac Photography Pace, the Hetherington-trained Theagenes placed second.
The four-year-old gelding finished less than two-and-a-half metres behind the Richard Williams-trained, Brad Elder-driven winner Ark after starting next to pole position.
The Garry Shepherdson-trained Montana Nights then placed second in race seven, which was the 1609-metre Johns Auto Service Female Premiership Pace, for Narrabri owners Neil Drysdale, Chris, Garry and Peter Shepherdson and Nathan and Charles Dicks.
The six-year-old gelding was driven by Jemma Coney. They started from pole position and finished just one-and-a-half metres back from the Caitlin McElhinney-trained-and-driven winner Akuma.
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