Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success

Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.

Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via Dan Zephyr ten years on.

A further decade passes, and Recon delivers the Pat Carey and Harris Walker outfit the key sprint event of Mornington Cup Day.

Patrick Moloney aboard Recon ($4.80) powered home for a 1-½ length margin over favourite La Fracas ($4.40), with Pop Award ($10) third by a half-length.

"This race has been a bit of a thorn in my side," Carey said.

"We've had plenty of goes at this race, so it's nice to win this race today.

"I've run a number of placings in it but Recon has always shown good ability.

"Steve Watkins, who owns him and bred him, always felt he was one of his better horses he has had and he's had a number of good horses including Abaridy who won a Caulfield Guineas.

"He got shuffled back to nearly last at one point just before the corner, but Pat didn't panic and brought him out wide and gave him a clear run.

"He's done nothing wrong since coming down to Melbourne, and he's got a bit bigger and bit stronger. He's still a lightly raced horse and he's still learning his trade and open to good improvement."

Carey relocated to Mornington when the Epsom facility closed in the previous century, inheriting the boxes from trainer Ken Newman, who had schooled Hareeba.

"When Kenny wound down his training operation, I took over his stalls and I daresay the stall Recon sits in everyday is Hareeba's old stall," Carey said.

The trainer seeks to reflect on Saturday's achievement before mapping Recon's path ahead, the runner holding six wins from 11 career efforts.

"I haven't thought about anything other than today," Carey said.

"He's a lightly raced horse and there's lots of races for a horse like him this year, next year and hopefully the year after."

Discover leading online bookmakers offering betting markets for the race like the Hareeba Stakes.