THE Hamilton Harness Racing Club had the racing spotlight on Wednesday, with perfect conditions on offer for the eight-race program.

A win and three second-placings for local driver, Jackie Barker, was the standout, with her win coming in race seven.

Barker guided the Daniel Laird-trained Shady Dancer to victory in the Jim Barker Classic Pace, named after the driver’s grandfather, finishing ahead of Kerryn Manning on the Jim Barker-trained Johnny Redcoat and Best Bettor Bet for trainer-driver, Matthew Craven, with a mile rate of 1:57.4.

Daryl Lawlor got the day off to a winning start, guiding Treachorous Reign to victory in race one for trainer, Gary Lawlor, finishing ahead of Soho Empire State for trainer-driver, Michael Stanley, and Mr Teddy NZ for trainer-driver, Amy Day.

Race two saw Antti Ruckonen guide Keayang Brandy to victory ahead of Jim Barker-trained Caithness Lady with Jackie Barker onboard, and Lochinvar Son finished third for trainer, Matthew Horsnell, and driven by Glen Craven.

The third race of the day saw Matthew Craven breakthrough with Cheys Angel, while Jackie Barker guided Daniel Laird-trained Goodtime Stryker to second and Rod Barker helped Presidential Change to third place for trainer, Jim Barker.

Race four saw a quicker race and Lochie Cook was in the seat for winner, Golden Tribe, giving trainer, Tom Rundle, a reason to celebrate, while Michael Stanley’s Startin to Gogh finished second and the Matthew Craven-trained Act Fast and driven by Amy Day in a mile rate of 1:55.3 – the second fastest time of the day.

Blue Miki saluted in race five for trainer-driver, David Murphy, while Josh Duggan drove the Ian Slater-trained Goodtime Mae to a second placing, and Nicholas O’Connor ensured Sir Nippa finished third for trainer, John Murphy in a mile race of exactly two minutes.

Race six was the fastest of the day, with a mile rate of 1:54.3, as Daryl Lawlor made it a driving double and gave Gary Lawlor a training double after Sweet Ideal claimed victory.

Glen Craven guided Browniesatmidnight to second place for trainer, Paddy Lee, with local trainer, Bec East, celebrating a third placing after Michael Bellman drove Hez All Rock to third to complete the top three.

The final race of the day saw Scar claim the win for trainer-driver, Robert Young, with Baltic Spirit finishing second for the Jackie Barker-Daniel Laird driver-trainer combo, with Nuclear Attitude third for trainer-driver, Ginger Gleeson.

Preparations are now underway for the club’s major event of the new year, the Hamilton Pacing Cup, with the also set to feature the Hamilton Trotters Cup and the Border Cup final on January 12.