Comeback driver Ron Webster drove his first winner for more than 11 years when Anton Oliver won the Elders Insurance Pace (2050m) at Port Pirie on Friday night.
A $5.60 chance, Anton Oliver led throughout to score a one metre win from Hes Just Rusty ($2.90 favourite) with Captain Under Fire ($28.70) a half metre away third.
The victory was Webster’s first since scoring on Diamond Garry for good friend Ray Fewings at Globe Derby Park on September 30, 2005.
He had no idea what his last winner had been nor how many winners he had driven since taking out a licence in the late 70s.
Since records have been recorded in 1983, Webster has saluted 152 times.
Soon after Webster gave away harness racing and went working in the mines before returning to the sport about 18 months ago as the stable foreman for the training partnership of his son Jake Webster and Aaron Bain, trainers of Anton Oliver.
Webster was keen to play down his win.
“You are better off promoting the boys (sons Jake and Brodie),” Webster said.
“There is nothing special about me, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
“Jake and Aaron use Ryan (Hryhorec), Dani (Danielle Hill) and Brodie as their drivers but for various reasons they were unavailable and I was called off the bench.
“I’m about fifth in line. Quite often the reserve gets a run.”
Webster also plays down his quite significant weight loss and would not be drawn into how much he has dropped.
“For my health, I knew I had to lose a bit of weight. It is about calories in and calories out, plus ensuring I drink water regularly all day.
“With the weight loss, I decided to I would try to drive in a few trials but found I had to renew my driver’s licence and that is how it came about.
“I felt it would be good to drive in trials to see how the horses were travelling and what they might need to reach their potential.”
Webster said he had no plans to build on his return to the sulky.
“As I said, I’m just a reserve and will fill in when required.”
After winning on Friday, Webster partnered Arrokeefe for the Webster-Bain team on Saturday and came home second behind Whenmechief in the Ubet Pace (2230m).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
