By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Trevor Walsh scored a victory for the locals on the first day of Westport’s two-day meeting on Saturday, and he is hoping to give them something more to cheer about on Monday.
The former miner reined home 10-year-old mare Mrs Beau K to win the Quay Marine Ship Repairs Pace (2000m) on debut.
The victory was a tonic for part-owner and breeder John Rogers, who has taken a patient approach with the mare.
“He has been very patient,” Walsh said. “But she is more like a three-year-old really and doesn’t know about racing yet.”
Walsh has been training the daughter of Sands A Flyin for the last few months and he said while he expected a good showing on Saturday, the half-length victory came as a pleasant surprise.
“She trialled up really well in the lead-up,” Walsh said. “I gave her a bit of a show, but you don’t expect a win from a 10-year-old mare on debut.”
Walsh said he was delighted to kick-off the two-day meeting in style for the locals, with fellow Westport trainer Robert Higgins adding to the local tally later on the card with Songbird.
“It makes a huge difference when you are on your home track,” Walsh said. “It was also great for the locals, winning with Bob Higgins (Songbird) as well.”
Walsh is now looking to back-up both Mrs Beau K and stablemate Malinka at Westport on Monday.
Mrs Beau K will line-up in the Valspar ‘Change Made Easy’ Pace (2000m), while Malinka will contest the TRT Builders Mobile Pace (2600m) after her unplaced run on Saturday.
“It’s a bit of a step up for Mrs Beau K on Monday, but she is well mannered, and they don’t know the difference between who they are racing,” Walsh said.
“We have gone back to the mobile with Malinka. I gave her a stand (on the first day) because it was her home track. She just missed a bit because she was on the second line and you get too far back over 2000m.
“She ran home okay and she should go alright.”
Walsh will also take the reins behind Sonic Reign in the Bernie Stewart Memorial Pace (2000m) for trainer Kevin Musso.
“He missed away on the first day and I will just see if I can get him away on Monday. He has been trialling okay, he should go alright.”
