Lindsay and Ian Thomson and horses bred by Tuapeka Lodge are on a bit of a roll at the moment.
On the back of Kilowatt Kid winning at Winton at the end of last month Lawrence and Six Diamonds added to the tally at Gore yesterday (Sunday). All three horses were bred by the Cummings Family of Tuapeka Lodge and are owned by the Thomsons of Branxholme.
Six Diamonds, a five year old gelding out of Raindowne, was having his first start since winning at Forbury in June. He'd been fitted for yesterday's assignment with two workouts.
"His first workout was very good while the second one wasn't so good. But we had a few issues that we had to tidy up which we did. He's trained good since," said trainer Alister Black.
The gelding has only had nineteen starts and has been well looked after by Black.
"He's only a wee horse and he used to fire up but now he's a bit more tractable."
He's now won five races and his connections will look at perhaps targeting some the Country Cup races around Christmas-New Year.
"He's very good from a stand but there's going to be some nice horses in those Country Cup races this year."
Black's second success for the day was the wellbred Lawrence when he easily won the Gore Windscreen 'N' Glass 2000 Ltd Mobile Pace. He's improved from his previous start which was also his first, when he ran fourth.
"I didn't think he could beat Kirk. (Thatswhatisaid) Normally I don't say anything to the driver but Brad (driver Brad Williamson) hadn't driven this guy. I said before he went out as soon as they button off don't be afraid to go round. If you get round don't be frightened to give it to them from the 600 and that's what he did," said Black commending his driver on a perfect drive.
Like Six Diamonds, Lawrence has been well looked after and not rushed into racing early.
"When he was a two year old he had a couple of little foot issues and he wasn't all that good in his gait. We looked after him. Carl Hanna drove him at the workouts and I drove him when he qualified. We never really let him go. I always knew he was going to be alright. His feet are real good now and he's a lot happier."
Both Six Diamonds and Kilowatt Kid have Tuapeka Dream in their pedigree while Lawrence comes from the other Cummings family which traces back to Sakuntala.
"I'm quite lucky I've got two owners that quite like buying their horses. They're so natural. Dan Cummings and the rest of the family do a wonderful job. They make your job easy."
Meanwhile Kilowatt Kid is having a bit of a break from the race track after impressing at both of his starts this season. He was a very good winner at Winton on debut before running quality colt The Bus to three quarters of a length in the Nuggets Finals at the Northern Southland meeting last Saturday.
"He's having ten days off. I haven't mapped out a plan for him but he won't be too overtaxed this year. His two main goals are the Super Nuggets Final ($20,000 at Northern Southland in March) and the Southern Supremacy Stakes Final (April on Diamonds Day)."
Black says there have been offers for the gelding but he's not on the market.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
Lawrence winning
Six Diamonds winning