Not one but two for Faithful

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Winton trainer Chelsea Faithful enjoyed her first Addington harness racing training success today when Tartan Raider (Bettor’s Delight) won by a nose.

The excitement didn’t finish there though. In the last race of the day Arnies Army (American Ideal) won for the young trainer, giving Faithful an Addington training double.

“It was always a goal to get one winner there let alone two, so I’m pretty stoked,” Faithful said.

Driven by Sam Ottley, Tartan Raider began well and was taken to the top inside the first three hundred metres.

Ottley reined the gelding up a long way from home and Tartan Raider got there by a nose with Wolf Of Wall Street (Art Major) running second and Let’s Go Ringo (Sportswriter) a nose back in third.

“He’s as genuine as, and I thought that he would adapt to the standing start pretty well. Sam said he feels like he’ll be a wee bullet once he’s had a couple more stands and 2600 metres was right up his alley.”

Tartan Raider winning at Addington – Photo Race Images

Owned by Doctor Onn Chin, the win was Tartan Raider’s third from twenty seven starts.

“He’s been at my place all along but it’s taken him a while to strengthen up. He was narrow in front, his gait wasn’t that good early on and with a bit of time he’s got better. They’re both staying at Mark Jones for the week. They’ll probably be in the same race.”

Tartan Raider and Sam Ottley with a winning salute – Photo Race Images

Tartan Raider’s dam Tartan Lady (Holmes Hanover) trained by Chelsea’s father Ray, recorded three of her thirteen wins at Addington including the 1999 G1 New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes.

The win was Chelsea’s twenty seventh, ten of which have carried the Chin prefix ‘Tartan.’

Arnie’s Army (American Ideal) was given the perfect trip in the one one by Blair Orange and came home doggedly on a testing track to beat Motor Mouth (Sportswriter) by a head.

Arnies Army winning for Blair Orange– Photo Race Images

“I’ve been disappointed with him. So many things have gone wrong. So it was great things went right for him today. There probably wasn’t a horse there today that deserved to win a race as much as he did.”

Chelsea Faithful and Arnies Army– Photo Race Images

It was the six year old gelding’s fourth win. Three have been for Faithful.

Arnies Army with winning connections and sponsors – Photo Race Images