Problematic Aldebaran Sundown Gets It Right at Pinjarra
Aldebaran Sundown catching the leader on the post. Photo Credit – Photography by Jodie Hallows
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing with Aldebaran Sundown but in the words of trainer Nigel Johns, they went from misery to happiness on Monday at Pinjarra with their troublesome trotter.
Recording his first win in WA since making the move over from Victoria in late 2020, the six-year-old trotter has always shown he has the ability, but his manners have let him down on a few occasions, resulting in lengthy spells and many official trials, but Johns is hopeful that he can keep the square-gaiter on the right track.
“he’s had problems galloping, problem’s pacing, problems with his feet and behavioural problems. He’s an emotional horse who is highly strung,”
With only the 18 race starts under his belt, he has landed three wins and two placings, but on Monday when he started off the 20m handicap he stepped impeccably, finding himself three-back on the pegs and with 700m to run, Johns was off after the leader, catching him on the line to win by a head in 2:05:3 over the 2631m staying trip.
“it’s a relief, but it’s also an achievement, he was trialling so good but would go like a hairy goat in races.”
“In the end I’ve almost gone back to where I started, he has so much action that he hits his elbows.”
Aldebaran Sundown’s win: Race 1 at Pinjarra – harness.org.au
Playing around with his shoeing, Johns has been working at adjusting Aldebaran Sundown’s action to try and alter how high he steps, as well as using elbow boots on him so that he doesn’t hurt himself if he does hit.
“I’ll take him back to Pinjarra on the 18th of April, in another stand, he’s a bit emotional in the mobile. We only have one more start to get ourselves out of the danger zone, I don’t want to have to go back to trials,”
“He sits on speed really good; I think the quicker they go, the better he will like it.”
“I’ve done everything to try a de-stress him, he gets Equissage and I jog him everyday in the cart, walk him for half a lap and then I step him away,”
“he’s a lovely natured horse, he is actually calm in the stalls now.” Johns said.
Behind every patient trainer is an even more patient owner, and it was a great day for owner Paul Demicoli who celebrated not one but two wins that day, with his pacer Crowded Reactor getting the job done in race four at Globe Derby Park for Scott and Samantha Pascoe, who has now won four races for Demicoli and Pascoe.
“It was pretty special, its not something you get to see every day,”
“It’s quite funny, I only have the five horses but two raced yesterday and two are racing today for me.” Demicoli said.
Paul Demicoli also had Playboy Shadow race at Menangle on Tuesday, as well as Dark Secret at Gloucester Park for Nigel Johns.
Paul has been racing horses with Nigel Johns and Deb Woodley since 2007 and the Pascoe family since the early 2000’s.
Ashleigh Paikos