Sport
14 April, 2026
Twisting fortunes deliver Dunne good victories
CHARLTON reinsman Luke Dunne enjoyed a memorable double on Friday, landing victories both on and off the track in a unique twist of fortune.
CHARLTON reinsman Luke Dunne enjoyed a memorable double on Friday, landing victories both on and off the track in a unique twist of fortune.
At Stawell Harness Racing Track, Dunne produced a confident drive aboard the consistent pacer Lester to claim the NR 40–45 event.
Trained by Tori Hutchins, Lester made it five wins from 14 starts with a comfortable victory.
Later that evening, Dunne struck again—this time off the track—winning the major prize in the Charlton CFA’s Good Friday Appeal raffle, taking home a basket of chocolates.
The feature event at Stawell, the Pleasant Creek Plate, went the way of Optimal, who completed a clean sweep after winning his qualifying heat earlier in the program.
The gelding is trained at Great Western by Jason Ainsworth, who also handled the driving duties for owner Natasha Raven
At Maryborough Harness Racing Track on Monday, Scott Torney and Michelle Torney made an immediate impact with stable newcomer Far As Possible, who led throughout to win the maiden trot.
The four-year-old mare, by the 15-time winner Bold Mover, was bred by Frank Evans and Noel Boyd, and traces back to the grey mare Lunar Lass—winner of the 1984 Victorian Trotters Derby. Notably, fourth in that classic was the champion trotter True Roman, who went on to record 73 career wins.
The Torneys also collected a lucrative VicBred first win bonus, adding further reward to the victory.
Another winner at Maryborough was the Berrimal-trained Champagnes, who returned to the winner’s list after a short break.
The mare is raced by Debbie Youngson, trained by Nick Youngson, and was driven to victory by leading reinsman James Herbertson.
At Bendigo Harness Racing Track on Wednesday, the McNaulty brothers combined to score with Insider Trading, successful at its first start for the Kooreh stable.
The gelding was driven by Riley Pace for a group of owners that includes Leichardt trainer Ben Pell, who later capped a strong night by winning the final event with Maxbeca, driven by Ryan Sanderson.
Bendigo hosts a 10-race card tonight, with several locally trained runners engaged.
Among them is Poppy Popstar in race nine, to be driven by Herbertson. From barrier one, the mare shapes as a leading chance—provided she can step cleanly.
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