Star of the ‘halcyon days’ honoured

ONE of the stars of the ‘halcyon days’ of harness racing will be honoured at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

In a time when the industry was mainstream news, Bold David was a regular headline thanks to his feats at the Ascot Vale Showgrounds, which include his victory in the 1970 Inter Dominion.

It’s that triumph which will see the Bold David Free-For-All conducted, with the feature part of the Victorian-trained/Melbourne Inter Dominion winners circuit.

While the former star will always be remembered for his success in the industry’s pinnacle event, Bold David’s story goes beyond his racing achievements.

A solid built pacer with a strong determination matched only by his heart, Bold David was the equine reflection of the man who took him to grand heights – the late Alf Simons.

Just to highlight the bond between man and beast, Simons drove Bold David to all of his 41 wins!

Ironically, Simons initially turned down a request to train Bold David, but changed his mind in order to help a friend.

“I had a lot of horses at the time and didn’t want to take him,” Simons was quoted as saying.

“Charlie (Priddeth, owner) was a very good man with young horses and a great friend of ours, so I agreed.

“I certainly never regretted accepting his offer.”

Bold David was retired after breaking his cannon bone as a nine-year-old. He contested 189 races for 41 wins, 41 seconds, 30 thirds and $97,303 in prizemoney.

Simons, who was sidelined by injury resulting from a race fall, didn’t drive Bold David during his last start, with Peter Ward taking the reins.

Despite the loss of his stable star, Simons continued to prepare a string of handy competitors during the ensuing years, with his own driving career coming to an end in 1982.

Although he tried to appeal the inevitable, Simons was a victim of the compulsory retirement rule.

Simons’ final success as a reinsman was behind Basil Bells at Stawell on July 13, 1982, just four days short of his 65th birthday.

As for the Bold David Free-For-All, well-travelled pacer Triple Eight shapes as the one to beat despite drawing awkwardly in barrier five.

Given a break following his Group One third at Club Menangle on March 5, Triple Eight completed a first-up win in Melton last week.

Expected to improve from the outing, the Jess Tubbs-trained gelding is a $1.25 TAB Fixed Odds favourite.