Granite Beach picked up where he left off in 2025, as he cruised to a front-end victory to earn his fifth straight on Thursday (Jan. 9) at Flamboro Downs against $11,000 conditioned company.
Granite Beach left from post three with driver Travis Cullen in the field of eight pacers who were non-winners of six or $70,000 lifetime. Sent off as the 5-2 second-choice, Cullen hustled the flashy grey to the front, leading the field to the quarter pole in :27.3. 8-5 favourite Better Be Gouda (Austin Sorrie) moved first-over from fourth to reach the leader's wheel at the halfway point in :58.1. The tempo quickened to three-quarters as Granite Beach opened up by 1-1/2 lengths to reach that station in 1:26.2.
Better Be Gouda moved closer once more on the final turn, as Granite Beach prepared for a two-pronged attack at the top of the stretch with pocket-sitter Colin Your Bluff (Colin Kelly) diving for the passing lane. Granite Beach proved tough on the lead, digging in to score the victory a half-length in front of Colin Your Bluff in 1:55.4 while Better Be Gouda held for the show spot.
Trained by Jodie Cullen for owners Grace Marshman and A1stable, Granite Beach entered 2025 off of a four-year-old rookie campaign that saw him win 12 of 26 and hit the board nine additional times in 2024. The gelded son of Sunshine Beach-April May Dune now sports a career bankroll of $59,538 with the victory.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Flamboro Downs.
(Standardbred Canada; Granite Beach shown winning a previous race.)