Elder Chasing Happy Returns At Newcastle

Newcastle Herald

Saturday May 31, 2008

JOHN GILMOUR - HARNESS RACING

LOUTH Park trainer-driver Darren Elder will be looking for some icing on his birthday cake at Newcastle International Paceway tonight.

Elder, who turns 40 today, will fly back from Melbourne this morning after driving Second Dollar in the $100,000 group 1 Queen Of The Pacific at Moonee Valley last night.

He landed a winning treble at Newcastle last week and has bright prospects of a double tonight with Flight Simulator in race six (1609 metres) and Rosenlea in race seven (2030m).

Flight Simulator was gallant in defeat last week, going down by a half-head to Vicolo Way after the pair staged a titanic tussle all the way up the straight.

That was Flight Simulator's first start since crashing in a race at Newcastle on March 27, and Elder felt a lack of race fitness might have been his undoing.

"I was very happy with his run," Elder said.

"He did not get hurt in the fall, but I did give him plenty of time to get over it, and that may have just told on him in the latter stages last week after he did get a good head in front at one stage.

"But Vicolo Way is also a pretty smart horse, and he is unbeaten in four starts since coming to Australia, so it was a pretty good effort."

Elder thought he had finally found the key to Rosenlea after the mare broke through for her first win in 34 starts last week when she finished strongly to score by a neck from Island Dreamer.

"I only got her just before EI [equine influenza] broke out, and when I put her back into work she was wanting to gallop at the gate, but Dad [Brian Elder] sorted her out," Elder said.

"That was her 12th start for me last week, and she had run five placings since I have had her, so she was knocking on the door and deserved to break through.

"I haven't got a strong team in work at present, but they are consistently earning money."

Elder will start an 11-day suspension after tonight's meeting.

He was outed last week after being found guilty of causing interference in his winning drive aboard Love This Life at Newcastle.

Drivers are allowed to defer suspensions for up to nine days, and Elder decided to hold his over so he could partner Second Dollar last night.

It has been a big week for birthdays in the Elder house. Darren's son Bradley turned 10 yesterday.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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