War Machine narrowly missed out on equalling the season’s fastest time during the latest harness racing meeting at the National Equestrian Centre.

The Mello Family’s eight-year-old gelding posted a 1:03/2 with driver Darico Clarke at the helm on the way to victory in the second and final race in the free for all division, which featured the island’s fastest ponies.

The time was a fifth of a second shy of the fastest time of the season the pair achieved on their season debut at the Devonshire racetrack last month.

“I’m pleased with how he [War Machine] went,” trainer Colin Mello told The Royal Gazette.

“Darico and him are getting along good. The racing was good and with all the rain we have had, track conditions were as good as they could get. Hopefully the track gets faster.”

Former Driving Horse and Pony Club president Mello is feeling inspired and looking forward to the rest of the season.

“His fitness is coming and it would be nice if the weather co-operated and we could get a few race days in a row in,” he added.

“Season goals are to have fun, see how fast he can go and hopefully defend his Champion of Champions crown.”

Lee and Sergio Raynor’s stallion, Special Gold, won the opening race in the free for all division in a slower 1:05/2, with star driver Kiwon Waldron in the bike.

Meanwhile, Itsallaboutme and Inwood’s Progress shared honours in the junior free for all division.

Graceland Stables’ gelding Itsallaboutme took the opening race in 1:06/2 with driver Jashaun Young, while Belhaven Stables’ mare Inwood’s Progress and driver Loren Bontrage pipped stable-mate Gold N Glory, and trainer Candyce Martins, by a nose for the win after the pair both hit the line in 1:07/4.

It was the second close race Martins was involved in after earlier guidinf stallion Reel Desire to victory by a nose over fellow Belhaven Stables’ driver Nisuje Landy, who was partnering gelding Kool The Fire, in the 1:08 – 1:09 time bar.