Accomplished trainer John Bax has been a fixture in Peterborough, Ont. for years. Although, if all goes according to plan, the respected horseman could have a new base of operations in the near future.

While in discussion with the publicity arm of the Ontario Sires Stakes, Bax stated that he may be moving close to Mohawk Racetrack.

“I’m in the process of buying the main farm at Glengate Farm (just outside of Campbellville, about five minutes from Mohawk),” the 2001 O'Brien Award winning trainer was quoted as saying. “Every time I drive by it I think, ‘gee, in five minutes I’d be home instead of two hours.’ The wear and tear of going up and down the road, it wears on you that’s for sure. Hopefully it will be settled this fall and we’d like to move in next spring.”

This weekend may not be as exciting as the last one for Bax, who enjoyed a huge night at Mohawk on Saturday, September 13 when his two-year-old trotting fillies finished one-two-three in the $380,000 Peaceful Way final and his champion from last year, Riveting Rosie, was an impressive second in the $409,000 Elegantimage final.

‘Rosie,’ who captured the Peaceful Way final last year at two, was dominant among the freshman trotting fillies last season and was named Canada’s Two-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year at the conclusion of the season. This year she’s had her share of issues, but she’s still be able to compile a summary of 1-2-2 in 11 starts for $171,000 in earnings, $640,000 lifetime from just 19 career starts. Bax’s Parkhill Stud shares ownership of the daughter of Muscle Mass with Don Allensen, Wyoming, J And T Stable, Newmarket and John Hayes of Sharon, Ont.

“It’s just been one thing after another with her this year. Every time you think you’ve got everything straightened out something else happens to her,” Bax noted following the Elegantimage where 'Rosie' finished nine lengths behind winner Shake It Cerry.

“I was really happy with her. If she could have gotten out earlier, she wouldn’t have been nine lengths behind. It was the first race where she put it all together, she left hard and finished well.

“I think she’s better on the front or first up because then she can get her stride going. She doesn’t trot as pretty when she’s doubled up, in a hole. Having said that, she got away with that at two (intimidating her opposition) and usually you find out at three you’ve got to race. It’s a learning process and I like it when they learn when we’re going for $400,000,” he laughed.

Riveting Rosie won’t have much time to rest on her most recent accomplishment as she’s back in to race this Sunday at Flamboro in the first of two $105,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions. She’s drawn Post 1 in the first split (Race 3) with her usual pilot Paul MacDonell in the sulky.

Right alongside in Post 2 is the division’s leading point earner, White Becomes Her, with Mario Baillargeon at the lines for his brother, Ben, who trains for owner Twilight Stables of Brampton, Ont.

The filly with the second highest number of points in the division, Muscle Babe, has Post 5 in the second division, which goes postward as the 10th race on the program. James MacDonald will guide the Muscle Mass daughter for owner Kjell Andersen of Norway and trainer Dave Menary.

Riveting Rosie currently sits in third in the point standings, but that all may change after her performance on Sunday.

Saturday’s test is the next-to-last OSS Gold event for the group, which will meet once more, on September 30 at Mohawk, before the October 11 Super Final.

Flamboro’s Sunday card will kick off at 6 p.m.

To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Flamboro, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Flamboro Downs.

(With files from the OSS)