Stubing in control of the Four Peaks Transport Pace at Geraldine
It’s been quite lean pickings for Trent Yesberg over recent months with Major Performer the only harness training success since Uptown Funk collected three wins over the winter months. A less than ideal result certainly, cushioned by thoroughbred Allasera’s long-odds win at Ashburton in October that firmly put Trent on the map as a dual-code trainer.
So imagine the delight with which Trent and team welcomed an early double at Saturday’s Geraldine meeting: Stubing and Feel The Moment benefitting from excellent drives, two horses with a lot of potential both claiming victory in convincing fashion.
Stubing shows the way home
Stubing’s maiden win came at just his sixth start after a lot of patience has been shown with him. “He did it very easily from the trail, even though not for the first time he seemed to get a bit lost at times,” said Trent. “It was great to have the driving experience of John Dunn for making him keep his mind on the job.”
For Trent it was also a thrill to train a winner for stable and well-known industry participant Harvey Kaplan of Jordash Breeding, who has a long association with the stable.
“Trent initially prepared some of my yearlings for the sales,” said Harvey. “Then he started breaking in some of my yearlings which then naturally led to him training some for me.“
“Trent is an excellent horseman and I'm really excited that he is getting success on the racetrack as a trainer now. He has always told me that Stubing had very good ability but that I needed to be patient as he wasn't the finished product yet. Hopefully yesterday's win is the first of many more for us to share in.“
Trent is as enthusiastic as ever about the Captaintreacherous - Hot Off The Press 3yo. “He’s got a lot more in store and his best is still six months away. In the meantime it’ll be nice to get some more racing into him.”
Feel The Moment comes good
A horse always held in high regard by connections, Feel The Moment has been frustrating to train and own at the best of times. After scoring back-to-back wins last summer at just his 6th and 7th starts, it’s been an up-and down year for all concerned. Niggles dealt with and small gear changes made, Saturday’s win in the Don Stenhouse Memorial Trot and the manner it was achieved suggests good times ahead with the Andover Hall – Any Moment Now 4yo.
Handily placed early then shuffled back in the running line, Feel The Moment was able to sweep up wide on turning in, where driver Matty Williamson got the racing room for the horse to stretch out as he can and take control. “I was absolutely thrilled with the way Matty drove him, said Trent. “Great to see the way the horse attacked the line and got through it so well.”
Feel The Moment’s ownership is shared by Paul Yesberg with Grassy Meadows Farm’s John Purvis who bred the horse, Gavin Moffat, Ryan Chamberlain and Jaron Chamberlain. For the Chamberlain brothers this is not the first trotter Trent has trained to success. Never Mind (4 wins before sale to North America) and Majestic Action (6 wins from the stable and now mum to a Royal Aspirations colt) both gave the boys plenty to cheer about as honest competitors in the squaregaiting ranks.
The win had something extra for the Chamberlain family. As Geraldine locals they had great respect for the late Don Stenhouse. “It definitely was a special one to get, being the home track & Don’s race. He was a great well-known local man who loved his racing,” said Ryan after the race.
Members of Don's family were there in force to share in the excitement of local owners tasting victory.
Feel The Moment is bred to be good. His dam is a half to Oscar Bonavena and before him well-performed trotters Moment of Truth and Dr Hook.
Part owners Jaron & Ryan Chamberlain at left and Stenhouse family members share in Feel The Moment's win at Geraldine
For the team at Ripple Creek it has been a very satisfying start to the summer with these results, all the more so with the harness wins coming on top of 3rds by Allasera and Diamond Alley at Riccarton Park on Friday.
With the likes of Ron McKinley, Uptown Funk, Gatecrasher and Whosdreamingnow – that latter two maidens that with luck would have won by now – set to resume around Christmas, and with four thoroughbreds all going well, the stable is looking forward a successful summer’s racing ahead.
Trent and the team thanks all connections and followers for their support in 2023, and wishes all in the racing community very best wishes for a safe, happy and successful Christmas season.