AXEDALE trainer Mick Carbone did not have to cast the net too far or wide when looking for a name for the pacer who would become known as Lets Make Tracks.
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It's the slogan for the business he co-owns in Bendigo, Ag Tyres and Wheels.
The slow-maturing three-year-old Shadow Play gelding is starting to make tracks in his own fledgling career following a second career win this week at Lord's Raceway.
Wednesday night's victory, with champion reinsman Greg Sugars in the sulky, capped a run of consistent performances by Lets Make Tracks, who had finished in the top three at each of his previous five runs.
Carbone hopes a well-deserved win is a sign of better things to come with his improving youngster.
"He's a little bit immature and is only just starting to work out what racing is all about," he said.
"A lot of times people think he's a dour-type of horse, that he's a tough horse, but lacks a little bit of speed, but he's actually quite quick and hasn't applied himself at the races just yet.
"His last couple of starts, the penny's dropped.
"He was really working towards a win, but he hadn't really been letting down at the races.
"The other night at Bendigo when he got caught back in the field, he actually sprinted home nicely. It was really the first time he's actually let down at the races."
Carbone was stoked for the gelding's owners, in particular well-known harness racing identity John Crossin, who is battling ill-health in a Mornington care facility.
The win boosted Lets Make Track's career record to two wins and nine placings from 22 starts.
All but two of those starts have been this season, with his maiden win coming at Shepparton in June at start number 13.
Carbone said he had no reservations backing Lets Make Tracks up after he had finished third behind the Glenn Douglas-trained Van Niekerk at Lord's Raceway two nights' earlier at Bendigo.
"He's a very strong horse and has a really strong constitution - to be quite honest you could nearly race him every day of the week," he said.
"The runs don't affect him, he gets home and eats up well.
"If he wasn't racing close together, the amount of work I would have to put into him back at home would be just about as hard as a race."
To that end, Carbone credited his 18-year-old daughter Stacie and his father Vin for their hard work with Lets Make Tracks.
"I've been working a fair bit recently with the business and have been tied up a bit. I'll do the fast work with the horse in the morning, but as far as the races go, Stacie and Vin have been taking the horse to the races," he said.
"Stacie in particular has been very excited with his progress."
Let's Make Tracks will race again this Tuesday at Shepparton, with Carbone aiming for a rare dual-code double on the day.
A greyhound he part-owns, Old Roy will run in the final of the GRV Vicbred Series at Horsham on the same night.
Trained at Longlea by Ian Garland, Old Roy made his race debut at Horsham on Tuesday, finishing second in his heat from the number eight box.
Read more: Locals defend territory at Lord's Raceway
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