It was the standout harness racing performance of the day and certainly the talk of Ascot Park yesterday when Dark Horse overcame what many thought was a race ending break only two hundred metres into the event and losing a hundred metres.
"When I galloped I thought it was curtains. She was just being eased down to the inside and she galloped," said trainer driver Nathan Williamson.
With 1400 metres to run Williamson had the Bacardi Lindy mare latched onto the back of the main bunch.
"After the first lap I was letting her tell me (whether to carry on or not) and we caught up fairly quickly. She was racing keener than you would have liked and once we caught the field I settled her at the back and from there it was up to her."
With 500 metres to run leader Karlie Montana and driver Shane Walkinshaw speared away by two lengths and at that point Dark Horse was still nine lengths off the lead.
"Once she came out and extended like she can, I knew that we were going to pick them up."
She ran her last 800 metres in 56.9, and 28.6 for her last 400 metres, and she won without Williamson having to 'turn the stick.'
"I didn't pulled the plugs either."
Despite the brilliant performance Williamson says he's going to keep the four year old mare ticking over within the region and not venture to far a field.
"She's got tons of gas but it's just about keeping everything else right. We've got to get her manners right before she can go north. The jewels at the end of the season is her main aim. We'll keep her manners in check and get her trotting solid then we can work it out from there."
Dark Horse is raced on lease by the Griffins and Seafield Trotting Syndicates many of whom were on course yesterday to witness the big win.
Members of the Griffins and Seafield Trotting Syndicate – Photo Bruce Stewart
She's out of Juliana and was breed by the Grice brothers. The Griffins Syndicate also races Monty Python (9 wins) while the Seafield Trotting Syndicate races Father Christmas; both half brothers to Dark Horse.
Dark Horse's second dam Janetta's Pride has left a host of very good trotters including Dependable (14 wins), Jo Anne (12 wins) and Ima Gold Digger (15 wins).
Enjoying a drink in the President's room after the race the syndicate members and friends had time to relive Dark Horses amazing run on replay. I'm picking the race will be watched a lot more times once the dust settles. It's certainly one for the highlights tape.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing