For the first time in his twenty seven season training career Gore trainer Allan McVicar trained two harness racing winners on the same day at Ascot Park yesterday.
Both Will I Am and It Ain't The Money, both out of the Riverboat King mare Macy Belle were purchased at the Sale of the Stars in Christchurch. Will I Am for $13,000 and It Ain't The Money for $17,000.
"I didn't want to buy this fella (It Ain't the Money) but I liked him as soon as I saw him. I'd missed out on everything else I was going to get so I ended up with this fella," McVicar said.
Prior to the four year old's first start where he finished thirteenth at Gore earlier this month he had had a very extensive workout and trial education.
"He's had eight to nine workouts and won seven of them. I qualified him last season as a three year old but he was by Lis Mara and they take a bit of time. He qualified in 3-04 but I thought he wasn't quite mature enough. He's still got a bit of filling out to do. He's always been a nice pacer but I've just had to wait on him."
The win was also the first for junior driver Mark Hurrell who has was also on board when the horse qualified.
Winning smile by Mark Hurrell Photo Bruce Stewart
In yesterday's SBS Bank Mobile Pace Hurrell took the gelding straight to the lead after favourite Sportzstar broke shortly after the start. It Ain't The Money maintained that spot holding on easily to beat Jayedgar by two and a half lengths.
"That was quite a good maiden field and my fella's pretty green so I wasn't overly confident."
It Aint The Money heading to the birdcage Photo Bruce Stewart
Earlier in the day Will I Am who had beaten Riverton Cup winner Pulp Fiction in a workout at Gore nine days ago was made favourite in the Ryder Plumbing Mobile Pace. He duly obiliged holding on to beat Mighty Flying Deal by a head running the 2200 metre mobile in 2-42.8. He was handled by Blair Orange
Bruce Stewart