Former harness team trots to Rockhampton victory

By Jordan Gerrans

A band of former harness participants pulled off a Rockhampton raid in the gallops on Thursday when Bull Dimple Rum landed the prize in the last event from Callaghan Park. 

The seven-year-old gelding had only been transferred to the stable of Brett Owen in recent weeks following more than 50 starts with Neil Hocking at Deagon. 

Purchased for just $4,500, Bull Dimple Rum won that back, and then some, for his old trotting connections in his first run for the stable when claiming the Ratings Band 0 – 55 Handicap over 1050 metres.

Ridden by Sunshine Coast hoop Nathan Thomas, Bull Dimple Rum finished over the top of the field to win as a $12 outsider in the market.

“We expected a performance like that after he ran in a jump-out a couple of weeks ago at the Sunshine Coast,” Owen said.

“In that jump-out, Jack Bruce had an open class horse and Darryl Hansen had a couple in it, so did David Vandyke.

“He ran well in that, so we knew he was ready to go for a 0 – 55 at Rockhampton.”

Rider Thomas was comfortable to drop back to the rear of the field in the sprint event once the barriers opened and bided his time in the home straight for the perfect opening to present. 

It was the gelding's first win since July of 2023 at Toowoomba. 

Owen is a former harness trainer in New Zealand and Australia and was involved in the code dating back to 1975.

The 68-year-old retired from the workforce in 2018 and not long after got involved in the thoroughbreds from his Redcliffe stables.

Owen has been preparing gallopers since the 2022-23 campaign with Thursday’s victory by Bull Dimple Rum his maiden win in the code as a trainer. 

The Owen stable have gone through a number of horses over the last few years searching for a breakthrough winner. 

“We buy these cheap horses to try and resurrect them a bit,” Owen said.

“We have had some nice runs in Wednesday grade, with seconds and thirds at big odds, which gave us a huge thrill, as well.”

The ownership group of Azra Racing have Bull Dimple Rum with Owen as well as stablemate All England. 

The ownership group includes former harness participants Michael Langdon and Bob Keogh. 

Langdon is the son of John Langdon won both the 1975 Inter Dominion Pacing and Trotting Grand Finals with Young Quinn and Castleton’s Pride.