War Machine claimed bragging rights during another exciting day of harness racing at the National Equestrian Centre on Sunday.

Colin Mello’s gelding posted a 1:02.1 on the way to victory in his second heat in the Free for All division with driver Philip Correia in the sulky.

The time was less than a second shy of the season’s fastest time of 1:01.2, which was achieved by rival Simsfield Hardtimes, and the gelding record he shares with War Machine.

“We continue to be happy with War Machine's performance so far this season,” owner Mello said. “He has done faster times than what he did yesterday, but he gives it his all each time he races and that is all we can ask for.

“So far this season the ponies in the time bar have been strong and made it a good competition, so we look forward to what the rest of the season has in store.”

Simsfield Hardtimes posted the second fastest time of 1:02.3 with driver Kirista Rabain and Lee and Sergio Raynor’s stallion, Special Gold, posted the third-fastest time of 1:03 flat with driver Kiwon Waldron at the helm.

Special Gold missed the first half of the season after co-owner Lee Raynor took ill but is quickly getting back up to speed.

“I was encouraged he posted those times in just his third race,” Raynor said. “Hopefully we can continue making progress.”

Special Gold came into his own last season after breaking Big Red Machine’s 12-year-old stallion track record with driver Kirista Rabain in the bike.

The blistering time of 1:01.2 is also a lifetime best for Special Gold and the fastest time posted last season, which was equalled by Simsfield Hardtimes.

Also enjoying a successful afternoon was Callum Cunningham’s gelding Wiggleitjiggle it, who got a leg out of the 1:05.4 – 1:07.4 time bar with driver/trainer Andrea Westerfield in the bike.

“I am very pleased with the way Kyle [Wiggleitjiggleit] is performing as we had a later start to the season,” Westerfield said.

“We had the rail in the second heat so I asked for whatever he could give me and he just went. I did not expect it to be a five flat, so I am very happy with Kyle.”