Sundons Wish looked like a progressive squaregaiter when he won easily at Winton on Saturday.
It was the five year olds second win in just three starts.
He trotted off the mark and harness racing trainer driver Nathan Williamson took him to the lead early before handing up to favourite It's Elvis with a lap to run. As the front part of the field turned for home Sundons Wish was allowed to sprint up the lane beating It's Elvis by a length and a quarter.
The style of Sundons Wish (4) beating It's Elvis (14) – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"I was just pleased he got around in one piece and trotted nicely. Since his last start we've backed off him and changed his training a wee bit to try and get him trotting good. We know he's got the motor. He trotted nice and square today. We bought him up here last week for a private run and he trotted lovely," said Williamson.
Not only has Williamson changed his training regime but he's also made some gear changes with the half hopples coming off.
"He only needed them for confidence but I knew with the way he was working that we didn't need them today. We're training him out of the paddock and giving him a lot of strong work just to keep his muscles right. He's better with one sprint at them because he's not a horse who could do a lot of work at this stage. He's a confidence trotter, we'll just stick to what we're doing because he didn't touch in behind today. If he's trotting square he's a good horse."
Sundons Wish is owned by his breeder Neville Cleaver and the horse's initial trainer Ian Jamieson of Winton.
Ian Jamieson, Nathan Williamson, Sundons Wish, Oliver Kite, Neville Cleaver and Adrian Wohlers
He's by Sundon out of Yule Ana – an unraced mare by Armbro Operative out of Little Miss Watch. Little Miss Watch, who was bred by Clarrie Woodward, won three races but as a broodmare left a handful of talented trotters including Sun Watch (7 wins), Musgrove (16), Aleana (6) and Flying Hardwick (22).
Sun Watch who was trained by the late Bert Wohlers at Riverton still holds a New Zealand and track record at Winton. As a three year old in December 2003, he ran 2400 metres from a mobile in 3-02.3.
Incidentally Wohlers' son Adrian who trained in Cambridge for a good number of years has just relocated back to Riverton and is keen to train a team on the beach in the Western Southland town. He's been a long time friend of Cleaver and was on-course today to share in the victory.
Cleaver reports that Yule Ana is back in foal to Sundon.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing