The last time Mando Fun drew post four in the Winners Over feature at Northside Downs was July 23, 2022. He was a winner on that occasion, but had only drawn inside that starting spot one time since.
On Saturday (Sept. 10), he started from the four hole again in the $1,600 top class pacing event and once again his nose was the first to cross the wire.
Driver Ryan Campbell left stoutly with nine-year-old Mando Fun, and made the lead ahead of his six rivals rather easily. Up by two into a :28.3 opening quarter, Mando Fun got a second quarter breather with a :59.1 half. That rating by Campbell certainly helped the third panel as 9/5 second choice and last week's winner Dontblvmejustwatch (Randy Getto) emerged from the pocket to pressure the pacesetter.
Afterburners were engaged by both frontrunners, as Mando Fun continued to lead by a scant nose in 1:28.4 past the third station while favoured Johnnie Jack (Jason MacNeil) loomed the danger in the pocket. But Mando Fun was enjoying his pacesetting position enough to maintain it through a :29.1 final quarter to win by just over a length in 1:58. Dontblvmejustwatch stayed for second with Johnnie Jack completing the triactor.
Trainer Ronald Seymour co-owns Mando Fun (Badlands Hanover - Millenium Ball) along with Aubrey Cameron of Glace Bay, N.S. The fifth win of the season for the veteran gelding gives him 36 wins from 161 career starts and earnings of more than $93,000 lifetime. He paid $10.50 to win.
From the fifth race on, the Northside starting car operated without wings. A starting gate malfunction forced the APHRC judges to rule the fourth race a no contest. The wings of the gate did not completely fold back in after being straightened, forcing the driver of the starting car to leave the track surface and bail into the infield around the first quarter mark.
For results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.