He hadn't raced since running thirteenth at Addington on Show Day in the South Of The Waitaki so it was a master class in training by Roslyn Bush harness racing trainer Murray Swain to prepare Jayedgar to win in a good time at Ascot Park yesterday.
"He got a four mil (millimetre) tear of a muscle and had six months out," said Swain when recounting the injury that put the breaks on a promising career.
Swain purchased Jayedger at the 2014 Auckland Weanling Sales for $6,500.
"We went up to buy Isaiah's brother and thought we'd have to pay up to twenty five (thousand) for him but he went for seventy five. Jayedgar was next in the ring and I said he's not a bad looking horse. I was trying to find something for the lads."
The five year old Art Official gelding is owned by Wayne Pope, Swain, L. Morresey and Alistair Mackintosh.
Some of the winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart
"He's (Mackintosh) in Wanaka. We told him not to back him because we thought he'd need the run. It was a big effort by the horse. It was more the horse's ability than the trainer. Blair said he went to the line easily."
The winning margin was two and a half lengths and the time for the 2200 metre mobile was a smart 2-42.5.
Jayedgar easily winning – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"I thinks he'll be a nice wee Country Cups horse. If he pinged out in the Country Cups races he'd keep them honest. Today's win makes up for the South of the Waitaki race when he hung. I think he was sore beforehand when he won at Wyndham."
It was one of four wins for Canterbury reinsman Blair Orange.
Note: The Art Major – Natural Creation colt that Swain wanted to buy at the Auckland sale was named Magnetic Stride. He was exported to Australia where he is unraced.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
Jayedgar winning his race