Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
When Lindsay Harper drove Classic Choice to victory over Cloud Nine, driven by his elder son Donald, in the 2130m Trotsynd Join The Fun Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night it revived memories of trainer-reinsman Don Harper’s string of victories in 1959 with outstanding young pacer Pauls Gift.
Pauls Gift, a striking chestnut colt, was a star three-year-old whose wins included the Country Derby and WA Derby.
Don Harper, father of Lindsay and grandfather of Donald and his younger brother, trainer-driver Kyle Harper, died on his 94TH birthday on December 22.
Not only was he a successful trainer and reinsman, he also was an excellent footballer, and I can well remember him at the WACA Ground, across the road from Gloucester Park, kicking two goals and playing a significant role in the Claremont league side’s seven-point win over Perth on June 7, 1952.
He was recruited from Trayning, and among his Claremont teammates were 1949 Sandover medallist Sonny Maffina, Ken Caporn, Doug Soutar, Dixie Lee, Peter Jago, John O’Connell, John Munro and Jack Stewart.
New Zealand-bred eight-year-old Classic Choice, an $8.80 chance from the coveted No. 1 barrier on Friday night, was beaten for early speed by $20 chance Cloud Nine from barrier two and the $1.80 favourite Navy Street from barrier three.
Navy Street challenged hard but was unable to cross to the front and was left in the breeze until Chris Voak sent Rock Me Over ($7.50) forward to take the position outside the leader after a lap.
Classic Choice, part-owned and trained by Debbie Padberg, enjoyed a perfect trip behind the pacemaker Cloud Nine and was held up for a clear run until he got clear entering the home straight after Rock Me Over began to wilt. Classic Choice ran home strongly and won by a half-length from Cloud Nine.
“The early burn cost Cloud Nine and he didn’t hit the line like he usually does,” said Lindsay Harper. “And we had the last shot at him over the final 150m.”
Classic Choice, unplaced at his previous nine starts, improved his record to 103 starts for 17 wins, 24 placings and $202,822.