Branxholme trainer driver Nathan Williamson has always had a high opinion of Bettor's Delight mare Delightful Deal and yesterday she vindicated his opinion when she beat The Empress in the Jaccka Lodge Ladyship Stakes Final at Gore.
This was the four year old's fourth start and she had the draw (1) to work with. When favourite The Empress was taken to the front the perfect scenario fell into place for Williamson.
"Yep it worked out well from the draw. She went out well and we were just tracking the right horse all the way. She had come on a bit after her first up run which you'd have to expect," said Williamson.
Delightful Deal qualified last year but the season didn't pan out as well as Williamson had hoped.
"It was unfortunate but she got kicked in the back leg. It cost her because we were thinking she was good enough to have a crack at the Southland Oaks series. I'm not saying she was good enough to win it. Marty has been real patient."
Owned by Winton plumber Marty Fairbairn, Delightful Deal was down to start her four year old season last month on this track but had to be scratched.
"The morning of the race she was holding her foot off the ground. She had an abcess burst out of her foot. But since then she's been good and it's just a matter of waiting on her."
With win number one on the board Williamson is contemplating some bigger goals.
"We might give her another start down here in a fortnight, maybe look at going to Addington and look at the South Of The Waitaki race if she goes well."
The win was one of four for Williamson who also won on Wayward Roc, Stay Aboard and Please Shuddup. His brothers Brad and Matty also won races on Mr Handleman (Brad) and Matinee Idol (Matty).
Craig Ferguson also drove two winners; Cool Scooter for Greg Hunter and Bridesdale Robyn for Ross Wilson. It's was Wilson's one hundredth training success. His first was with Mister Majestic at Roxburgh in April 1980.
Bruce Stewart