By Mac Henry
Dunedin breeder and owner Garry Clarke is excited about American Spirit who did it the hard way at Wyndham on Tuesday but was good enough to make it two from two.
The American Ideal four year old out of Spirit of Niatross won from a stand at Omakau 17 days earlier and from the mobile at Wyndham. He came from the back of the bunch at the 600 and cut out the 2400 metre trip in 2:59.3.
American Spirit had his initial education at Macca Lodge and is trained by Darryn Simpson at Mosgiel.
“When he came home he was the easiest we have ever had to deal with,” Clarke said, “he is very laid back, that’s why he’s so good at the standing starts, we don’t really know how fast he can go.”
Clarke said Simpson has only given American Spirit two preparations and in his workouts and trials has only faced line-ups of two, three or four runners.
“Omakau was the first time he had been in a full field,” he said.
Christian Spirit, James Burke, Cullens Spirit and Rory Mach are other multiple winners out of Spirit Of Niatross.
*** The influence of prominent harness racing personality Colin Baynes, who passed away in October at the age of 94, will be around for some time yet. He bred two of the winners on Tuesday and in the case of One Cool Chick, some of his family shared the excitement. She is raced by his three daughters, Lois Byars, Donna Hill and Debbie Baynes.
Although Byars hasn’t raced a lot of horses, they have all been successful. She raced Sly Brewer with her father who drove in him for multiple wins about 40 years ago. Her and Hill had shares in the good winner Clancy who ran second in the 1991 New Zealand Cup.
One Cool Chick is a half sister to Cool Cobber, nine wins, and John Of Arc, 16 wins in Western Australia. She was trained and driven by Robin Swain and began her career as a pacer. It was her second win as a trotter.
During the spring, bloodstock agent Geoff Gibson-Smith acquired three horses bred by Baynes for the Butterworth Racing Syndicate. All three are trained by Brett Gray, Pavarotti and Better Go Hurry had already been winners and the third, Son Of Brahma, broke through at Wyndham.
*** Brent Barclay drove Son Of Brahma and made it two on Will I Am. Raced and trained by Alan McVicar, Will I Am is a half brother to the five win mare Macy Blue Chip.
“He’s a good worker at home but has taken his time on the track,” McVicar said.
*** Roans and greys stand out on the harness racing track because of their colour. My Rona Gold stood out for that reason on Tuesday and also that she went from the outside of the second line but used the passing lane to produce her winning run. Bred by Bill Keeler, the four year old has been leased by Julie Kilkelly, her daughter Holly Brown, and Nick Barclay, husband of the mare’s trainer and driver Kirstin Barclay.
*** Nathan Willamson trains and drove Polperro Bay to victory at the Grinfromeartoear’s eighth start. She was bred by Ben and Karen Calder and they race her with Williamson’s wife Katie, who took a share when the five year old was a yearling.
*** Gordon Lee broke through for his first training and driving success of the season when successful behind Lightning Flight from a stand. She is the third foal and third winner out of the five-win mare Flight Of Fantasy.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
