Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Pinjarra trainer David Young has enjoyed great success with talented and versatile trotter Patched and now is looking forward to another former Victorian horse Grumpee taking over as his stable’s star square gaiter.
Six-year-old Grumpee notched his fifth win from nine WA starts when Aiden De Campo drove him to a narrow victory in the Bridge Bar Trot, a 2503m stand at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Nine-year-old Patched was due to resume after a spell in this race, but Young scratched him after the gelding’s appetite and work ethic declined during the week.
“Patched is retired,” said Young who prepared him for 24 victories over the past four and a half years. “He had a solid hit-out the other day and he didn’t eat up that night.
“He’s getting older and it’s all a bit harder for him. I think the time has come; he’s done his job, and I don’t want him going around just to make up the numbers. I will now talk things over with Vicki Woodhouse (owner) and Chris and Alison Alford, who sent him over to me.”
Patched earned $326,571 from 28 wins and 40 placings from 111 starts, with his notable victories being the 2023 and 2025 Trotters Cup at Gloucester Park.
And now Young is full of hope that Grumpee will equal Patched by notching his second victory in the $50,000 Trotters Cup next January. Grumpee won the Cup last January when he began from the 20m mark and worked hard in the breeze before beating My Lightning McQueen and Majestic Ga Ga.
On Friday night Grumpee was resuming after a six-month absence when he started off 30m and raced in third place in the Indian file affair before he sustained a solid finishing burst to get to the front on the home turn and hold on to beat the 60m backmarker Majestic Ga Ga, who raced in seventh and last position before flying home to fail by a half-head to draw level with Grumpee on the line.
Grumpee is the first trotter owned by Brian Simeon, a nephew of former top-flight reinsman Lindsay Smith. Simeon has been involved in harness racing for more than 50 years as a breeder, owner and trainer of pacers.
“I bought him from Victoria last year and he has proved to be a good purchase, and I’ well in front with him,” said Simeon.
Young said that Grumpee was a difficult horse to drive. “He didn’t hang in his races in Victoria, but here I think that our tracks are a bit softer, and he gets on to one of his bumpers quite badly,” he said.
“He doesn’t steer very straight. He probably won’t finish with a record as good as Patched, but on raw ability he is quicker and is the better horse. And he has time on his side for us to be able to turn him around.”