By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Tim Hall was celebrating double success at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday.
Not only did he train Berani to win the O’Connor Warren Mobile Pace (2200m), but he drove the gelding too, breaking a seven-year drought in the sulky.
“I haven’t really driven much over the last couple of years, but I thought it would be a good idea this time in to sit behind a few of them,” Hall said.
“He went good and was travelling the whole way. I had to hold him around that last bend because he was pacing a little bit roughly, but we got clear air.
“They ran along in front and he is a nice follower of speed.
“He got the job done but he has got to step up again in the next grade up now.”
It was Berani’s third start and maiden victory, and Hall said he was hoping for a good performance from the Sweet Lou colt after his runner-up effort over 2200m at the Cambridge workouts last Saturday.
“I was quite happy with him,” Hall said. “Off the back of his workout on Saturday I thought he could run in the money with a bit of a trip.
“I was a bit unsure of the run we would get from the barrier (4) because I knew there was a bit of gate speed inside me.
“I thought we might have been a bit further back than we were but I followed Todd Mitchell (Millies Sensation) and it worked out well.”
Adding to the occasion was the fact Hall also bred the colt.
“He was one I took on with a mare in-foal,” he said.
“Some good clients of mine, Allan and Dianne Greaves, came in on the horse.
“It was good to get the job done for them.”