In the relentless, often thankless world of harness racing, true veterans are measured not just by their victories but by their longevity and their ability to surprise.
Last Tuesday at Leeton, the nine-year-old gelding He’s a Terror (Western Terror x Artful Marie) did more than win; he authored a compelling new chapter in his sprawling career, turning a routine midweek meeting into a spectacle with a crushing14-length victory.
For trainer Trevor White and seasoned reinsman Pete McRae, the win marked two on the trot for the tough-as-nails pacer. But it was the sheer margin of the triumph—a rarity in tightly contested country circuit races—that truly highlighted the horse’s current purple patch of form.
After more than 200 starts, He’s a Terror is proving that old age is no barrier to peak performance.
The race unfolded against a backdrop of scorching early speed. Starting from the preferred barrier two, McRae was expected by some to push for the lead, but the experienced driver had a different strategy in mind. He recognised the aggressive intentions of the runners drawn outside, namely Arklow (Rock NRoll Heaven) and the subsequent leader, Shaken Sands (Sunshine Beach).
The front row exploded from the gate, immediately setting a blistering, unsustainable pace. This rapid acceleration caused a crucial split in the field, isolating the leaders from the main chasing pack. McRae capitalised on the chaos, allowing He’s a Terror to coast along the pegs, securing valuable inside cover for the first furlong (approximately 200 metres) while the clock ticked down fast sectionals up front.
By sitting back and saving energy, McRae ensured He’s a Terror, despite his age and race count, would have the fuel left for a final, devastating kick. Once the initial speed duel subsided and the field settled, McRae didn’t hesitate. He knew that burying the horse too long on the rail would eliminate his finishing power.
Around the 1200-metre mark, McRae expertly eased He’s a Terror off the inside running line, smoothly moving up the track to get on the outside of the leading Shaken Sands. This move was a bold declaration of intent. He’s a Terror, now travelling strongly outside the leader, was effectively putting a pressure gauge on the front-runner. Shaken Sands, having spent a significant amount of early energy to secure the top spot, began to feel the heat of the veteran pacer breathing down his neck.
As the field swung into the back straight and approached the final turn, the decisive moment arrived. McRae, sensing the leader was reaching the bottom of his reserves, made his move far earlier than most drivers would dare, letting the reins go at the 400-metre mark. The response from He’s a Terror was immediate and spectacular.
What followed was less of a challenge and more of an immediate surrender from the leader. Shaken Sands, hard-pressed by the early speed, could offer virtually no resistance as He’s a Terror powered past, quickly putting a couple of lengths between himself and the rest of the field.
The blistering pace of the race had effectively shattered the chances of any runners attempting to circle the field from the rear.
Despite the fast time, the horses struggling in the back half of the pack found their energy drained by the distance they had to cover. He’s a Terror; however, he was in a league of his own. The gap only widened as the horse straightened for home.
The chasers, including the second favourite Little Cool (Warrawee Needy) and the spent Arklow, were running gamely but were simply stationary targets compared to the surging leader. He’s a Terror crossed the line in splendid isolation, the 14-length margin a testament to both McRae’s superb judgment and the veteran’s heart. Little Cool finished second, followed closely by Arklow, who was praised for a brave third given his tough initial run.
The victory is particularly sweet for White, who has meticulously managed He’s a Terror through his extensive career. With over 200 starts now logged, the gelding has covered enough miles to travel across the continent and back, yet he appears to be peaking late in life.
The back-to-back wins, capped by this mammoth margin, pose an exciting question: can the veteran make it a hat-trick? He’s a Terror’s current form suggests he’s a force to be reckoned with, and the Leeton faithful will be watching closely to see if this seasoned champion can continue his extraordinary late-career resurgence.
The win by He’s a Terror was a masterclass in patient driving and powerful finishing.
(UPDATE) He’s a Terror made it three wins in a row on Tuesday night, answering the earlier asked hat-trick question with a resounding yes, three-on-the-trot and he is red hot!
– Tully Potts
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