Alister Black has always had a high opinion of the royally bred Kilowatt Kid and his judgement was reinforced today when he dealt to a strong field of maiden pacers at Winton.
By American Ideal out of the eight win Live Or Die mare Wave Runner, Kilowatt Kid is owned by brothers Lindsay and Ian Thomson.
"We spotted him at Dan Cumming's place on the Southern Yearling Tour. Alister liked him. A couple of years before, we'd bought Six Diamonds, which was also by American Ideal, off the (Cummings) family," said Lindsay.
Wave Runner is also the dam of Break Dance (5 wins and 1-53.3) and Bonnie Joan (7 wins and 1-52.8).
"We bought Kilowatt Kid before Bonnie Joan showed up so we were lucky to buy him when we did."
The stable have been very patient with the gelding and were rewarded today when he won by a length and a half from another first starter in The Heart Rulz.
Kilowatt Kid and Brad Williamson beating The Heart Rulz (obscured) – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"Alister said he was a nice horse from day one and he's just looked after him. He qualified last season and was turned out. We thought he'd be a better three year old. I was always told that if you haven't got the best two year old in the country don't go chasing them."
Black fitted the gelding for today's debut with two workouts.
"We were confident. We weren't too sure about Chmiels horse (Nota Bene Denario) and we'd looked at the videos. I was pretty confident anyway (laughter)."
Kilowatt Kid was driven by Oamaru reinsman Brad Williamson who was also impressed by the horse's effort.
"He's bred to get better with racing so hopefully that's the case. He feels very green and is still learning. Potentially he could be a nice horse," said Williamson.
The early pace was set by favourite Nota Bene Denario and Dodgethebullet. Williamson followed The Heart Rulz forward. At the top of the straight it was all on for two of Southland's best early season maiden horses – The Heart Rulz held a slender lead before Kilowatt Kid slowly ground him down. The winning time was 2-59.9 and the winning margin was a length and a half. There were a further six and a half lengths back to third placegetter The Maroon Marauder.
"He wasn't travelling all that well and it wasn't until I was halfway round the last bend that I knew he was going to win – at the 500."
Birdcage group – Photo Bruce Stewart
The Thomson brothers, who have a farm and stable at Branxholme have been keen investers in harness racing since they sold their sheep farm about nine years ago.
"When we sold the farm we set up at Branxholme and Alister came here and the hobby got out of hand (laughter)," said Lindsay.
So understandably the brothesr are excited about Kilowatt Kid's future.
"Potentially he could be the best. Six Diamonds is a nice horse and we've looked after him too. We had New York Town and he's won a further six races in America."
Lindsay has been racing horses since 1986. He bred and raced Young Reb – a Yankee Reb trotter which also won at it's first start on the Winton track for Wyndham trainer Brendon McLellan.
"It was probably the worst thing that could have happened," he said highlighting the fact that he'd caught the harness racing bug.
"I also had horses with Jim Ferguson in Canterbury."
They are for good reason, fans of the Woodland Stud stallion American Ideal and their latest 'project' by that stallion is Dazzle Me. He's a two year old out of Diamante and is closely related to Smiling Armada, Pembrook's Delight and Swamp Major.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing