By Matt Markham
Breaking droughts quickly became the modus operandi for grass track racing at Rangiora on Sunday.
A number of winners throughout the day’s racing action were putting behind them long sequences without success and, in some cases, tasting success for the first time after numerous attempts.
There was no more deserving winner on the programme however than maiden trotter, Native’s Brite Gem.
Having start 46 for her career the daughter of Britewell finally dispersed off her maiden status when she led all the way to win the opening race of the day for Austin Thornton and Robbie Close.
On seven previous occasions she’d finished second. Often looking the winner 100 metres from the post only to be run down in the dying stages, but there was none of that on Saturday as the free-wheeling mare began to clear away from her rivals inside the final 50 metres.
Rusty I Am, a five-year-old son of Sundon and Awesome I Am was the next cab off the rank when he broke through for his first win in the second maiden trot of the day for co-trainer and driver, Pip Wakelin
Wakelin, who trains in partnership with Steven Noble, put her charge into the race at the right time and he staved off the challenge of hot favourite, Ace Commander, to win at start 26 after looking more than likely on a number of occasions.
Justin and Lynn Smith also found themselves in the winners’ circle when All Lit Up picked up the sixth win of his 54 start career later in the day having not saluted the judge for 24 starts.
The wonderfully bred son of Sundon last won a race in August of 2015.
The run of drought breaking continued when Caesar’s Quest, who had been side-lined with injury, caused the upset of the day when sneaking home ahead of Augusta at massive odds grabbing his first win since September of 2014.
The John McDermott trained pacer had finished fifth in his previous start behind Kardesler at Motukarara but was never given a hope by punters on Sunday paying a massive $63.50 for the win.
Another injury casualty, Nolan Sackett was the other returnee to the winners’ circle.
The talented Roger Winter trained pacer put together an impressive record in his maiden season, winning twice and placing on four occasions from seven starts with his only miss a fourth at Addington at the end of his last campaign.
The Badlands Hanover six-year-old ran a solid fourth behind Cable Beach at Ashburton but wasn’t to be denied on Sunday, finishing stylishly near the outside fence to win in the hands of Matty Williamson.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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