WESTERN Sonador stormed home on Sunday to win the first pacing cup run at Wedderburn’s Donaldson Park.
More than 1000 people attended the Australia Day race meeting, including Harness Racing Victoria board members.
As the temperature hovered in the high 30s, the crowd had more shade under the new $5 million Donaldson Park complex verandah and in the umbrella area on park lawns.
But while there was cool in the shade, action was hot on the track. 
Kialla part-owner/trainer Stephen O’Donoghue deserves plenty of accolades after resurrecting 8Y0 Western Terror-Refresh Me gelding Western Sonador to land the Pacers Cup. 
Driven by Shepparton’s Bec Bartley who has had a strong relationship with the horse since he first stepped foot on the track, Western Sonador (gate two second line) making only his 65th appearance at the races (11 wins and 15 placings) settled three back in the moving line as Red Cliffs roughie Go Away Again led from gate two.
Once balanced, Raging Whitebait was immediately set alight to go forward and park outside the pacemaker in the back straight on the first occasion and while all this was going on, Western Sonador travelled beautifully. When Raging Whitebait took care of the leader prior to the bell and raced clear, Western Sonador now one/one was off and running to effortlessly join the favourite for the final circuit.
Turning for home in front Raging Whitebait was a spent force shortly after as Western Sonador surged clear, with both Shadow Celt one/one and Lincoln River three wide from last running on. 
Refusing to give in, Western Sonador gave plenty to prevail by a half neck from Shadow Celt and Lincoln River a nose away who flew late for third in a thrilling finish. The mile rate 1-58.6 (last half 57.9 – quarter 29.7.
The Trotters Cup saw Ardmona trainer/driver Donna Castles victorious with strong staying ever reliable 8Y0 Crazed-Meridith Castle mare Berriesandcherries. Despite a slow beginning from a solo 20 metre backmark, Berriesandcherries was sent forward three wide to join the leader Yankee Lover with two laps to travel.
Taking over in the last lap, Berriesandcherries showed a great will to win, reaching the wire 2.6 metres clear of Tripod (four pegs) which extricated wide on the final bend, with in-form gelding Robbinmemates (one/two – three wide last lap) third 4.7 metres back. The mile rate 2-05.6 (last half 60.5 – quarter 30.2).
It was a terrific day for the Donna Castles/Doc Wilson duo who won three and one placing for the afternoon
The Central Victorian Pacing Championship went the way of Leichardt trainer Ben Pell’s honest 9Y0 Mach Three-Western Spirit 9Y0 gelding Valiente in a mile rate of 1-57.1. Driven by James Herbertson, Valiente (gate five) enjoyed a sweet trip three back in the moving line as Sunraysia hope Terror The Christian showed great speed to lead from gate three. 
Commencing a three wide forward move to join the leader at the bell, Valiente raced clear on turning to gain the day by 1.8 metres from St Arnaud’s Pesci from the tail. Terror The Christian held third 2.2 metres away. The mile rate 1-57.1.
The Central Victorian Trotters was easy for the Brent Lilley (Bolinda) trained ex-Kiwi 7Y0 Simon Roydon-Johns Ann gelding Johns Boy with Tristan Larsen in the sulky giving him another provincial feature. Racing exposed from barrier five made no difference to the result as Johns Boy raced to the front on the final bend to win easily by 12.2 metres from Donna Castles’ Dances which jumped in front from barrier two. Aldebaran Demi (four pegs) was third 2.2 metres back. The mile rate 2-04.6.
- LEN BAKER