Officials forced to replay cameras as multiple pacers cross lines inseparable
Race officials were pushed to the limit during an extraordinary afternoon of harness pony racing at Bermuda’s National Equestrian Centre, as the opening five heats delivered an unprecedented run of razor-thin finishes.
The drama on Vesey Street ignited immediately in the premier 1:04 flat and faster division. Kirista Rabain produced a storming drive from the sulky aboard Gold Rush, going wheel-to-wheel down the homestretch with DJ Burchall on Double Time. Both pacers stopped the clock simultaneously at a blistering 1:03.3, with officials scrutinising the replay before awarding the nod to Rabain.
The photo-finish camera was summoned again in heat two. Mitch Robinson, in the bike behind Kool The Fire, locked horns with Darico Clarke at the lines of Google Me Twice. The pair crossed the wire inseparable at 1:13.2 to share the spotlight, with Eilidh Redmond trailing in third aboard Victorias Secret (1:15.2).
Deadlocks continued to dictate proceedings in heat three’s 1:04.1 to 1:05.2 time bar. Flood produced a tactical masterclass in the sulky of Inwoods Realist, trading blows right to the line with Jashaun Young on Holy Grail. Both stopped the clock at 1:07.3, but the judge delivered the verdict in favour of Flood.
Top-tier excitement returned in heat four, where Maurice Raynor held his nerve under intense pressure behind Rockeyed Optimist to repel a fierce late surge from Teshi Zuill and Somegoldsomewhere. Both clocked 1:05.4, with Raynor awarded the victory by the barest of margins.
The breathless run of split decisions concluded in heat five’s 1:05.3 to 1:06.4 bracket. Keizaah Busby guided Inwoods Progress through a gruelling duel against Liam Stones on Reel Desire. Matching stride for stride across the dirt to clock 1:12.4, it was Busby who earned the final verdict to cap a thrilling showcase.
