Springbank Eden's win was a surprise to owners Alistair and Denise Smith.
They watched the race from the main stand and thought from the angle they saw the finish that leader Moment Of Sun had held on.
But Springbank Eden's driver Brad Williamson was confident enough to come back to the birdcage first even before the judge made his official call.
His judgement proved to be right and the Phil Williamson trained trotter got the decision by half a head.
Moment Of Sun's owner Brian Church was one of the first to congratulate the Smiths.
Springbank Eden wearing down Moment Of Sun – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Phil Williamson has now won 502 trotting races. His first training win was with pacer Role Model at Forbury Park in March 1993. His first trotting winner was the same horse at the New Zealand Metropolitan in June 1995. Of all the winners he's trained he's driven 99 to win and his sons Nathan (94), Matty (151) and Brad (94) have been a part of the Oamaru trainer's success with the squaregaiters.
Phil provided Nathan (Brooker) and Matty (Springfield Tiz) with their first wins as drivers while Brad's second winning drive and first trotting winner was Heezadoo Early, trained by his father.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing