King Cassidy capped off a fine vein of form, by winning the Gold Chip Final for trotters at Winton on Sunday.
It was the five year old's third win on the trot and a very good pay day for his connections, trainer Chris Gerken, Taylor Davies and his partner Tracey Ashton.
Gerken, who trains at Fleming near Gore has had the The Pres gelding since August last year.
"Neil Munro sent him down to me. He's got a wee bit of a hitch in his gait and he thought he needed a bit of time and they weren't prepared to wait on him. I think the gait thing is just conformation. The first race he had off the place was at the Hawea Gymkhana last year where he beat a couple of pacers," he said.
He won his first race at Forbury Park in May this year when driven by Brad Williamson.
"He won that first race probably too quick for his own good. He got chucked in against horses like Golden Gate. It was way too rich and they were just rushing past him."
Gerken, who shoes his own horses says the past few weeks have been a bit of a balancing act in deciding when to renew the horses footwear.
"Last week when he raced here the shoes were buggered. But I didn't want to change them before he raced. He got reshod during the week. It was perhaps one of the reasons he trotted rough today. He just needs a bit of wear and tear on his shoes."
Brent Barclay, Sonia Gerken, Chris Gerken, Taylor Davies and Tracey Ashton – Photo Bruce Stewart
In yesterday's race driver Brent Barclay allowed King Cassidy to settle at the rear before moving him round the field at the 1200 metre mark to sit parked outside leader Sky Tower. With 400 metres to run Barclay had the gelding in front and he held on to beat a late charge from Makarewa Rum by half and length.
"His next start will be at Hawea on Wednesday. I'll see what sort of rating he gets after today. At Omakau he may have to start against the Free For All horses in a mobile. I don't want to start in a mobile just yet so I may have to look at Cromwell in a fortnight."
Taylor has been a loyal supporter of Gerkens and they were partners in John Henry Galleon and James Galleon.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing