THE Pacers Bendigo Syndicate - an initiative of the Bendigo Harness Racing Club - achieved a milestone at last Friday night's meeting at Lord's Raceway.
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Comprising nearly 40 members, the group achieved its first winning double, and on its home track.
The syndicate's first winner came in race one, when Rocks Arnt Pets, driven by Bendigo reinsman Anthony Crossland, was too good for his opponents despite sitting outside the leader for the 1650m journey.
His win was a just reward for the pacer's consistent form, and now brings his tally to three wins and seven placings.
The second winner was Leigha Miller in the sixth event.
Driven by ace junior reinsman Jayden Brewin, the four-year-old mare was driven quietly early, before unleashing a strong final 600m, and won untouched by 9m.
Rocks Arnt Pets and Leigha Miller, like all of the syndicate's horses, are trained by Junortoun's Gary Donaldson, who was naturally thrilled for his loyal band of owners.
"I've put them into five horses and four of them are racing at the moment and the other one is qualified and trialled yesterday (on Sunday), so he will be racing in a fortnight," he said.
"The five they are in should all be racing in a couple of weeks' time."
The syndicate was launched at the 2016 Bendigo Pacing Cup.
Its first horse was given a solid preparation by Donaldson, but unfortunately was not a racing proposition.
Syndicate manager Alan Prentice said the group has been indebted to its trainer, as he has since offered numerous shares in going racehorses.
"The syndicate achieved its first win in March 2017 with Regal Ambition," he said.
"A second win was achieved five days later in the Birchip Mallee Bull Cup.
"Apart from Rocks Arnt Pets and Leigha Miller, other horses trained by Gary Donaldson in which Pacers Bendigo is currently involved include Skyeski (five wins), Liberland, Flaming Fives and an unraced trotter named Angski.
"Currently, the syndicate has won 12 races, along with 32 placings, ensuring the owners have been a major part of the action on racetracks around Victoria."
Donaldson said the only slight downside to Friday night's double was that members of the syndicate were unable to be trackside, with crowds currently banned from racecourses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"But I know Alan (Prentice) and the syndicate were flooded with congratulations and well-wishes .... the photographer is pretty happy as he sells plenty of photos when one of my syndicate wins," he said.
"We'd had a bit of a run of seconds before the other night, which was pretty frustrating.
"But if you hang in there, you're luck turns."
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