Bitter sweet result in first two-year-old event

ASTUTE horseman Damien Burns experienced the highs and lows of harness racing during his trip to Maryborough yesterday.

Enjoying a “very satisfying” outcome in the opening event on the card, Burns had the sweet taste of success soured when he felt the stewards’ wrath.

Along with preparing Got Equity to capture the first two-year-old race of the season, Burns snared the quinella when stablemate, Solesseo Matuca, finished second.

Driven by Burns, Solesseo Matuca was beaten a head as the $1.70 favourite in what was a noteworthy performance.

It was his early tactics which saw Burns attract the stewards’ attention and a suspension.

“I contacted the wheel of the horse inside me which is why I was suspended,” Burns said. “I also ended up with a flat tyre for the entire race, so it was a pretty big effort from Solesseo Matuca.

“He was only beaten a head despite dragging a flat tyre and racing greenly.”

As for the victor, Got Equity was reined to glory by Ryan Duffy after travelling two-back along the pegs.

Chedalayo was three-and-a-half metres away third in 2:02.2 over 1690 metres.

“I usually try to have a runner in the first two-year-old race of the season and to win, let alone get the quinella, is very satisfying,” Burns said.

“I was pretty confident with both of them and felt whatever beat them would win.

“Of the two Got Equity has got a little more to learn, but as he showed, he does go well.

“There is another race for them in Geelong in a couple of weeks, but I will try to keep them separated if I can.”