Hopes And Dreams added to her very good record when she outstayed a game Steiger in the 2017 edition of the Wairio Cup.
"When they started to come at the 800 I'd had such a good run I had to come out and get going. So I worked forward and it worked out lovely. Dexter had pinched a bit of a break down the back and around the side. I knew she was a good stayer so I thought I'd get rolling from the 400 and make it hard for the ones at the back. It was 27 flat from the quarter so it did make it hard for the horses coming from the back. She hasn't got instant speed but rolling from that quarter she was pretty good," said driver Nathan Williamson.
Back to the birdcage – Photo Bruce Stewart
The five year old mare by Christian Cullen out of One Dream is raced by Neville Cleaver and Kevin Strong and is trained at Westward Beach by Graeme Anderson. She has now won seven races and banked $49,400.
The winning owners are Kevin Strong (third from left) and Neville Cleaver (fifth from left) – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Prior to yesterday's race she was taken out on the track and warmed up by Sheree Tomlinson.
"I think she feels her joints every now and then so they warm her up the race before every time she races. It seems to have done the trick again."
It's third time Williamson has won the Wairio Cup. His previous two winners were; Here Comes Soky in 2006 and Costa Del Magnifico in 2015.
Hopes And Dreams is likely to head to the broodmare paddock this season as her owners are keen to get her in foal to Bettors Delight.
Cleaver is having a great season, having success with Hopes And Dreams, Sundons Wish, Franco Santino and Scarlett Lane.
The cup time was 2-58.7.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing