Last nights harness racing meeting at Addington was notable in the first instance for being held on a Wednesday night which is unusual to say the least.
Several longshots got home early in the programe with one of these being the Andrew Stuart trained Styx On.
Driven on racenight for the first time by in form reinsmen Bob Butt, Styx On jumped to an early lead from the 2000 metres stand, steadied them in the middle stages before zipping home in 27.8 to just hold out the big late charge of Matty Groves and Ricky May.
Bob liked attitude of the Art Major three year old filly.
" She has got lovely manners and that's what got her home tonight"
" She does everything right and thats always a big help in standing start races," Bob said.
That was the start of what turned out to be a productive night at the office for the North Canterbury horseman.
Next up was Kashana in the two year old pace and that was to be the only time Bob missed a dividend bearing place in his five drives with Kashana finishing sixth.
Bob's next drive was on a horse he part owns and trains in Ancient Moonlight and he turned in a career best effort to only go under by a nose to Change The Rulz after coming from second last at the 800 metres mark.
The son of Live Or Die was privately timed to run his last 800 metres in 57 out three and four wide and Bob was thrilled with the effort.
" He went huge from where he was."
" I had to go when I did or else it would have just been a sprint from the 400 metres and we would have got nothing".
"Going by that run, his next win is not far away," Bob said.
The next drive for Bob was on the old warhorse Vulcan who had been very disappointing lately after some good form around christmas time.
Away well from his 30 metres handicap, Bob settled Vulcan three back in the running line and didn't move until the corner where to the surprise of everyone, Vulcan sprinted up to the leaders and only went under by 3/4 of a length when running third to the very impressive Belles Son.
Bob was a bit non plussed about what to make of the run.
" That was a lot more like it tonight but I think the slow sectionals in the middle stages helped."
" In saying that, Roddy has been making a few little changes and that probably helped as well," Bob said.
Bob's last drive of the night was on the son of American Ideal in Idealindiamonds who is trained by his parents, David and Catherine and once again manners were the key to the win.
Away well to lead early, Idealindiamonds was restrained to trail the well supported Sandvik Star after 600 metres and that move was the winning of the race.
Sandvik Star took Idealindiamonds to the passing lane and he zipped home in 28.2 to just hold out a fast finishing Four Starzzz Shiraz and Dexter Dunn and claim his second win at just his fourth lifetime start.
Bob half expected a good run.
" He has got such great manners from the stand and I thought we would get a good run if he could lead early."
"He is a wee tradesman and his manners always give him a chance in a race like that," Bob said.
Bob has been having a great run lately and the thing to note for punters out there is he rated Waterloo Sunset at Alexandra Park tomorrow night his best drive for the week.
Harnesslink Media