Hot favourite Love N The Port gave his followers heart flutters when he galloped at the start of his race at Winton today but he recovered to win brilliantly.
“He hasn’t had a lot of experience with horses around him. He just panicked and galloped but settled quite quickly which was good. After that it was a very good run,” said harness racing driver Matty Williamson.
The gallop surprised Williamson.
“He doesn’t gallop much at home so I thought it might have been one that was terminal. He sorted it out and was very professional afterwards.”
He tagged onto the back of the field and Williamson said he was always travelling well.
“They were going along a bit but at the 600 he was ready to go.”
Williamson launched the three year inside the last 600 metres.
“He trotted the bend beautifully. We were close to the outside fence but he bowled round them beautifully and was strong to the end.”
Love N The Port stormed down the outside to win untouched from Miss Bamboocha.
“He’s got a nice motor but he’s still learning, as today showed. Abilitywise he wants to do it and he’s got stamina to go with his speed.”
Williamson said Love N The Port will start next on New Year’s Eve in the Gold Chip final at Winton.
Although still someway off, the New Zealand Trotting Derby could be on the radar for the horse.
“He’s got a bit of bottom to him. With the three year old ranks you have to see how the rest come back. With what I’ve seen you’d have to think he was in the top five in the country. We’ll just have to see whether we can get higher in the pecking order.”
Meanwhile chestnut mare BK Merlot won at her second start at Winton today.
The Peak mare trained by Nathan Williamson lead from the mobile and won easily by four and a half lengths for Otautau owner Brent Smith.
The four year old is a half-sister to quality trotter Bordeaux which won eleven races.
The Hustler looks to have turned a corner having backed up his last start second to win impressively for new trainer Lauren Pearson and driver Brent Barclay.
The Bettor’s Delight four year old started his career with Katrina and John Price.
Ashburton visitor Better’s Tart improved on a last start second when she beat Jaffie J by a neck.
Winning salute by successful driver Stephen McNally – Photo Bruce Stewart
Tough gelding Willangus Lad showed his liking to lead and race on big tracks, when he held out Kiwitrix in the Southland Vehicle Sales Handicap Trot.
This was the Robert Wilson trained five year old’s third race in just twelve starts. Bred by Kevin Schuck the gelding is a half-brother to the well preformed De Vito which won six races.
by Bruce Stewart