Special Albert Takes Award

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday September 10, 2008

By JOHN GILMOUR

SOMERSBY pacer Special Albert was crowned Newcastle Harness Horse of the Year yesterday.

Special Albert beat Comet Prince and Second Dollar for the award, which was announced at the Caduceus Club lunch at Newcastle International Paceway.

The stallion recorded nine wins and three seconds from his 16 starts last season, which included the Winter Cup and two free-for-alls at Harold Park.

Trainer Bill Dawson was delighted with the award.

"This is great. He hasn't missed out on much during the last season, and when he has he has been hampered by poor barrier draws," Dawson said.

Newcastle Harness Racing Club chairman and life member Jim Bell was awarded the Dick Osborn Medal, and Maitland reinsman Daniel Carmody claimed the Matthew Jenkins Memorial Young Achievers Award.

Bell's award was for outstanding service to the harness racing industry to which he has devoted more than half a century as a trainer, driver and administrator.

Carmody, who was the Hunter Valley representative in the NSW Rising Stars Series for drivers aged 23 years and under in July, was recognised for his efforts on the track and for the way he has presented himself and behaved off the track.

Keinbah trainer-driver Clayton Harmey drove 35 winners on Hunter Valley tracks last season to claim his first drivers premiership, and Ellalong-based Michael Formosa prepared 31 winners to take his third successive trainers title.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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