Tamworth harness racing: Andy Ison-trained Our Roy's Dream wins Vale Pat Flett Pace

The race was named in honour of Pat Flett, a clerk of the course at Tamworth for many years with his little grey horse Sheba.

Andy Ison, the trainer and owner of Our Roy's Dream, was more than happy to say a few words about Flett's horsemanship skills, after taking out the race.

"Pat was probably one of the best blokes I have ever seen with a horse," Ison said.

Read also:

"When I was a kid, I remember Pat going into a field chasing a horse that had lost its driver.

"He would go where no other person would have had the courage to, and come out with the loose horse, with no disruption to the race. He was looking after the safety of both horse and drivers.

"He was brilliant - there was no doubt about it."

With Ghostly Courage, driven by Brad Elder, flying out of the five barrier to take the race lead and dictating the race terms from the outset, Sam Ison was content to race three back on the marker pegs with Our Roy's Dream.

"Going down the back straight the final time, I thought my horse was pretty well flat and we were never going to get there," Sam Ison said.

Racing around the final turn, Ison shifted three wide to join Gemma's Express (Jemma Coney) and Ghostly Courage, who were in a battle down the home straight.

Our Roy's Dream went on to record a 1.2m win over Gemma's Express, with Ghostly Courage 4.8m away in third place. The winner covered the 1609m in a mile rate of 1min 57.5sec.

"My horse has been really consistent, and always putts in a top effort," Sam Ison said.

There were no surprises when $2.79 favourite Diesel Don won the Vale John Lynch Pace.

Trained by Ken Natty at Tamworth, the six-year-old gelding was driven by Anthony Varga.

Diesel Don had his first win since March 2021 and clocked 1.58.4 for the 1609m.

"Today was the right draw for him and he was way back in class," said Varga of Diesel Don, who commenced from the seven barrier before landing three back in the running line on the marker pegs.

"Sarah (Rushbrook) took the run when the leader (Smiling Shandy) drifted up the track and it was then just a matter of time of when to go," Varga added.

Rushbrook was driving the Josh Carroll-trained Galiant Knight.

Sweeping around the final turn, Diesel Don went on to record a 6.2m win over Galiant Knight. Freedom Writer (Brad elder) was 10.6m away in third place.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: