Despite not having the use of the Balfour track, local trainer Robert Wilson still managed to chalk up a double at the Invercargill Harness meeting at Ascot Park yesterday.
Spotlight The Valley got the ball rolling in the first race when she got the prefect trip in the trail and came up the passing lane to beat Canterbury visitor Rebel Kibbybones by half a length.
“She’s as solid now as she’s been for a couple of years. She went super early on but like a lot of horses she had a year off last season (didn’t go quite so well). She’s muscled all round so it’s just a maturity thing and she looks a million dollars,” Wilson said.
Four races later Betterthancheddar mare Better Galleon capitalised on a similar run beating Excellent by a length and a half.
“She went super and won with a bit in hand. There’s more in store for her.”
Better Galleon is owned by Cleland Murdoch The Fanny Allen Family Trust and Wilson.
Back to the birdcage – Photo Bruce Stewart.
His only other runner at the meeting, Franco June was severely checked and took no serious part in his race.
Another horse in the stable, De Vito, has come up well in this preparation after returning to Wilson following a stint in the North Island.
“He’ll line up in some of the better trotting races over the Christmas circuit. He’s a class horse and he’s not properly fit yet. He’s a bugger of a horse because he’s hard to keep condition on. Our main focus is to try and build him up.”
Bettor Galleons win was Wilson’s thirtieth win as a trainer and it wasn’t the first time he’d won two races in one day. In November 2014 Mr Mayfly and Lucky Lands both won at Forbury Park.
Wilson trains on the Balfour track which has been unusable in the last week.
“We've been struggling getting work into them because we got six inches of rain in five days. The track has been out of action and will probably be for all of next week as well. We might have to go to Gore.”
Bruce Stewart