ARARAT - Pleasant weather conditions and high speed racing, which included a new track record, greeted patrons at the Ararat harness racing meeting on Wednesday night.
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The racing surface was well prepared for fast race times and patrons were not disappointed in the race outcomes.
The track record for the 1790-metre distance was broken in race three, the Merle Smith Claiming Pace, by the Fake Left gelding Will of Iron, which ran the distance in a 1.58.5 mile rate, eclipsing the previous record of 1.58.6 held by Village Peach.
In addition to the track record ,the second event, the Flora Jackson Pace for 3YO pacers, was also run under the two-minute mile rate.
It was taken out by the It Is I gelding trained by Kevin Brough, Weallwanttano in a 1.59.4 mile rate.
The main event on the card, the Karen Preston Pace for C4/C5 pacers, was also run under the two-minute mile rate and was won by Paul Rowse's The Red Opal in 1.59.1.
Each race was named after a club volunteer who consistently supports and assists the club on race nights.
The opening event, the Shirley Ralph Trotters Handicap, was named after one of the much-appreciated volunteers of the Ararat Harness Racing Club in Shirley Ralph.
It saw the pole horse, A Stylish Jewel, driven by master reinsman Gavin Lang, sent out favourite.
Lang's charge led comfortably but was unable to sustain its run in the straight and finished third behind Pepperell Rose and Marita Louise.
Short priced favourites took out three events but no patrons were able to select the last five winners and take home the holiday voucher valued at $1,250.
Other impressive winners on the night were Roshani in the C1/C2 Arthur Lasgis Pace and the 3YO Barkers Hall in the Sharon Ralph Co Pace.
The next Ararat meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9.
