Nota Bene Denario made up for his last start fifth at Winton in September when he easily won the Sir Lincoln At Alabar Pace at Wyndham today.
Trainer driver Terry Chmiel said the three year old colt got sick when he was down here last, so there were reasons for his below par performance.
But all that was forgotten when he lead for most of the 2400 metres and held on to beat the trailing horse Miss Waikiwi by a length and a quarter.
"He didn't feel as good in front. He was gawking around a bit but you have to be there in a maiden race (when you're the favourite). He just needed something beside him to keep him going. If something had come with him in the straight he would have gone a lot better. The next time I'll drive him from behind and you might see a different horse. He's still got a bit to learn. Hopefully he's going to get better," said Chmiel.
The three year old by Well Said was bought off Southland breeders Mark and Pauline O'Connor. As a young horse he was sent north by the O'Connor's to be trained by Regan Todd who was training his half-sister Kayteeoh Denario. He was bought after he qualified for Todd at the Chertsey Trials in September.
"Mark (Jones) drove him at the trials and he told me to buy him. I only drove him when they vetted him."
Since his Winton run he has been back to the trials twice, winning at Ashburton and running fifth in a strong field at the Cup trials at Addington. Coincidentally Detroit Lily trained by Todd ran second in the same Addington trial also won at Wyndham today.
Beating Miss Waikiwi by a length and a quarter – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"He's a big horse and he's going to get better with a bit of time and racing."
Nota Bene Denario is owned by good stable clients Robert and Sharyn Symon who were on course with family to see the win.
The Symons raced Gotta Go Cullect mare Nek Time from the Terry and Glenys Chmiel stable. She won eight races including the 2016 Southland Oaks, Gold Coast Oaks and Queensland Oaks. She also broke a New Zealand record when she won at Winton. She was recently retired from racing and was served by Bettor's Delight in January.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing