Victory George lived up to his name when he rallied off second-over cover to win the $850 Open Pace at Inverness Raceway on Wednesday
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Driven by Ryan Campbell, the four-year-old Mantwo-Blue On By gelding got away fifth in the six-horse field as the favoured Father Ted (J.R. Plante) led the way past each quarter pole. Muirkirk (Raymond Deagle) launched a first-over bid from third after the opening quarter while Campbell angled his charge to outside as well. Father Ted began to feel the pressure heading into the stretch as Muirkirk pulled up alongside the pacesetter, but it was Victory George, the 4-1 third choice, who prevailed after using a :29.4 final kicker to win in 2:00.4.
D J Mattava (Alex MacDonald) closed well to finish a length and a half behind Victory George and longshot Lifes Win (Greg Bailey) got up for third.
James Copley trains the winner of five races in 23 starts this year and $9,686 for owner Russell Copley of Inverness, N.S. Victory George’s 10th career win lifted his bankroll to $18,279.
In the $1,000 Dougald Campbell Memorial, favourite Dreams Matter rallied from off the pace to score in 2:00 flat by a half-length over the pacesetter, Master Of Ceremony (Max Roderick Sehl) for trainer/driver Clare MacDonald.
The four-year-old son of Matter Of Money-Reason To Cheer won his fourth race in 11 starts this year bumping his earnings to $2,696 for owners Ian Banks of Truro, Susan Karrel of Great Village, N.S. and Charles McDonald of Winsloe, P.E.I. For Dreams Matter, the win was his seventh of his career giving him $17,516 profit.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click here.