Kirista Rabain remains optimistic about her chances of eclipsing the overall track record with Simsfield Hardtimes before the end of the season.

Aaron Sims’s gelding came to within two fifths of a second of equalling the mark held by retired mare Google Me after stopping the clock at 1:01/3 on the way to victory in a two-horse heat in the Free for All division against rival Double Time at the National Equestrian Centre on Sunday.

It is the fifth time Rabain and Simsfield Hardtimes have flirted with the record over the past two seasons.

“It’s amazing how many times we can get close to the track record but never beat it,” she said.

But with the 2022/23 campaign winding down, Rabain has not given up hope of clearing that final hurdle.

“It’s a tight window but I think we can achieve it being he did that time this past weekend in the second heat,” she added. “I think if we get another chance in the first heat, we can make it happen.”

Rabain and Simsfield Hardtimes also won the second heat against Martins Family’s mare Double Time to complete the clean sweep.

Mello Family’s War Machine and Lee and Sergio Raynor’s stallion, Special Gold, also produced solid displays competing in the Free for All division after posting the second and third fastest times of 1:02 flat and 1:02/2 with drivers Philip Correia and Kiwon Waldron respectively.

Geldings Gold-N-Glory and Itsallaboutme were victorious in the two Junior Free for All heats with drivers Candyce Martins and Darico Clarke in the sulky.

It was also a fruitful day at the track for Antwan Edwards’s stallion, Special Tux, and Burrows Family mare, Reign of Terror, who both got a leg out of the 1:05/4 – 1:07/4 time bar with drivers Clarke and Catrina Stephens at the helm.

“She is behind the times. She should have been doing those times already but she is doing them now so she can only get better hopefully,” Reign of Terror owner David Burrows said.

“Special Tux is also coming into his own now which is good for competition. I just like to see a good race and everyone have fun, which is what matters most.”