Magicol Delight improved on his debut second when he lead all the way to win the Omalass – The New Dried Molasses Mobile Pace at the Northern Southland meeting at Ascot Park yesterday.
"I've always had a lot of time for him. He hasn't done a lot. He's a very inexperienced horse. We went to Omakau off the back of just one workout then he won today," said Gore trainer Tony Stratford after the win.
The three year old is owned and raced by his breeders Paul and Margaret Collet who did farm at Wright Bush and are now retired and on a small holding between Alexandra and Clyde.
Magicol Delight qualified at Gore in October 2015 as a two year old behind stablemates Mucho Macho Man and The Honey Badger andwas put aside to mature and develop.
"Although he doesn't look it, he's a big boy. He's twelve months away to be fair. Being a Bettor's (by sire Bettors Delight) out of a nice mare he could develop into a good horse."
Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart
Driver Dexter Dunn made the most of the horse's good draw and took the gelding straight to the lead. He held on to beat a late inside charge from Manuka Valley and a spirited finish out wide by Navajo Art.
"He got a nice draw and was able to utilise it."
Stratford said Magicol Delight will have his next start in a three year old race at the Invercargill Cup meeting at the end of the month.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing