By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Jack Harrington had every reason to be beaming after reining home Salvo at Addington last night.
It was his first win in the sulky in more than two years, and the four-year-old mare that he trains had just won by a neck, paying $104 for the win.
It was Salvo’s fourth career victory from 44 starts.
“The 12 months have been a bit of a nightmare with her, she’s had a lot of seasonal complaints, she’s very hormonal and that’s been affecting her but hopefully we are on top of that now.”
Salvo (Love You – Sungait Sally) was the rank outsider in the 12-horse field in the NZB Standardbred Trot (1980m) but Harrington had her well placed three back the outer, just behind the Sam Ottley-driven Eyre I Will.
“She settled well in the running and was running pretty hard on the back of Sam’s helmet.”
“I felt if she was back to anywhere near her best with her run she should really be winning this,” said Harrington, “but the way she’s been there was a fair bit of doubt.”
There needn’t have been. Harrington made his move turning for home and she responded, wearing down Aiguille by a neck.
Harrington’s last driving success was also with Salvo, at Addington in April 2021, though these days he doesn’t drive much, often opting for the likes of Blair Orange and Tim Williams.
For Salvo it was also a welcome return to form. She was a handy horse earlier in her career and was competitive in many of her age group races including a fourth in the Ruby at the 2021 Harness Jewels at Cambridge, won by Five Wise Men.
The race also featured another comeback in the form of trainer-driver Kevin Townley.
He was having his first race day drive since having a hip replacement following a nasty crash at Addington in April 2021.
Last night he was driving Murano, the same horse involved in that incident more than two years ago. The combo finished 10th.
As for Salvo, she’s likely to line up at Addington in a fortnight, Harrington hoping she really is back to her old self.
