Racing: Fortuitous win consolation for Barron

There was no shortage of heartache at Addington on Saturday.

Much of it was felt by punters as only one of the 11 favourites won in what must surely be a record for a premier harness meeting in this country, which are so often dominated by hotpots.

And there was heartache of a different kind for trainer-driver Ken Barron, even after he won the $300,000 Sales Series Pace with Thumpem.

Just five days earlier, Barron had lost his best juvenile pacer Major Obsession when he dropped dead on the track at the workouts.

As satisfying as winning a $300,000 race is, Barron was understandably subdued on Saturday, even though the win was the richest of his career.

But the greatest heartache was being felt by the connections of The Muskeg Express, who handed our richest juvenile prize to Thumpem by galloping when he had the race won at the 100m mark.

The big pacer indicated he might be something special by surging to the lead at the 200m mark even after coming from the second line to sit parked for the last lap.

But just as trainer Tim Butt was thinking the $155,000 yearling sales gamble he took last year was about to pay the ultimate dividend, The Muskeg Express galloped for no reason.

"That was pretty hard to cop," said Butt.

"He is such an immature horse that he has threatened to do it for a while but he could have picked a better time.

"It is a real shame because he deserved to win."

Butt can take some solace from knowing he has his next top horse in The Muskeg Express.

"He could be a special horse, our next really good one."

Butt has won so many huge races in the past decade he was trying to be philosophical about the racing disaster and at least he hadn't lost his sense of humour.

"You know all those times things went perfectly and we won those big races with Lyell Creek, Take A Moment and Flashing Red, well, this is the other side of that.

"I can tell you, the winning side is a lot more fun."

Butt wasn't alone in feeling sick after the feature, with punters who backed hot favourite Major Mark never having a chance.

Trainer-driver Mark Purdon's lack of confidence in the colt's manners meant he had to ease him off the gate. They became trapped in midfield and were never a winning chance, although even when Major Mark did get clear he hardly flew home.

Purdon's luck was the complete opposite in the $150,000 Nevele R Fillies Final, with Secret Potion leading home a stable trifecta.

The outstanding staying filly sat parked for the last 800m and was too strong for Meredith Maguire and Lancome, the greatest surprise being her $6.80 win dividend.

Favourite De Lovely was another fighting a losing battle with Lady Luck as she never got clear.

Purdon undid another favourite when he produced Kylie Ree to upset Paramount Geegee in the $60,000 Sales Series Trot, while Barron continued his great day when Still Coughin sprinted past Bettor's Strike in the free-for-all.

The age-group stars meet again in two group ones this Friday night but less than three weeks out from the Harness Jewels many of those markets are in turmoil as a lot of our best young horses keep finding ways to get beaten.

Disaster day

* Only one favourite out of 11 won at Addington on Saturday.

* The Muskeg Express threw away certain victory in the $300,000 Sales Series Pace.

* Secret Potion was all class in the Nevele R Fillies Final.

* Many Harness Jewels markets were clouded by the unusual day's racing.