by Tayler Strong
Rory McIlwrick, the leading junior driver for the season with 39 wins, ended his time as a junior when he drove Danielle Amore to lead over the last 2000m at Oamaru on Sunday.
“The win was special as Rory has spent a bit of time with us and it was his last drive as a junior,’’ said Bev Williamson, the wife of Phil, the trainer of Danielle Amore.
Brad and Matthew Williamson, both leading junior drivers, joined Rory for a photo opportunity after the race.
McIlwrick, who won 113 races as a junior, is having a short stint at Roxburgh while trainers Geoff and Jude Knight are on holiday.
“I will then spend two or three weeks with Cran Dalgety,’’ said McIlwrick.
The Williamson stable won 45 races with trotters during the season and Phil is the leading trainer in that department for the seventh consecutive year.
The win of Iodean vindicated her Alexandra owners Graham and Dianne Sinnamon sending the mare to Robbie Holmes at Leithfield Beach in June.
She had won a race at Wyndham in November from the Knight stable.
“We sent her to Robbie to race on the bigger tracks. She struggles on the smaller ones,’’ said Graham.
Admiral was within 0.7sec of the track record for a two-old pacer when he won over 2000m (mobile) in 2.28.4, a 1.59.4 mile rate.
Admiral, who was having his second start, is a gelding by Auckland Reactor from Karis (by Knight Rainbow) trained by Gavin Smith for breeders Trish Dunell and Cameron Mackie.
Admiral is the fifth winner from six foals left by Karis.
Wallacia (New South Wales) owners Charles, Chris and Daniel Vella were represented by the maiden winner Zahara Zuri, who led for most of the way.
They race the three-year-old with Ashburton trainer Simon Adlam.
“I have only spoken to the owners by phone.
Bob McArdle made the training arrangement,’’ said Adlam.
McArdle had a hand in the ownership arrangement of the Santanna Blue Chip – Zahara Bromac gelding 14 months ago.
Owner-trainer Len Mosely plans to start Eden Creek at Addington on Friday night before he makes a trip to the United States.
The four-year-old mare from the family of Lyell Creek and other trotters of note cleared maiden ranks at her sixth start.
Mosely bred Eden Creek from Becky (Grant Our Wishes- Laurel Creek) who won a race for Ken Ford.
“I had Double Icon from Ken and had a spill breaking my ankle which put me in plaster for two years. He then sent me Becky and I sent her to Brylin Boyz,” said Mosely.
Mr Majestic has had a sudden departure from the Dunedin stable of Ali Malcolmson to join Amber Hoffman at Waikouaiti.
“I discussed with the owner (Gus Young) arranging a junior driver for Oamaru, and the next thing there was a note on the table saying the horse would be picked up in the morning,” said Malcolmson.
That was four days after Mr Majestic had won at Forbury Park on July 15. Malcolmson had a soft spot for Mr Majestic, who credited him with his 100th win on the Forbury Park track.
He won five races with the Majestic Son gelding. Mr Majestic won a race when trained at Waikouaiti by Andrew Faulks and another for Alan Clark.
Sovereign Banner, winner of six races, has been sold out of the Graeme Anderson stable.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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