"I thought the other horse had won actually. Blair told me he'd got me," said trainer driver Nigel McGrath after backmarker Maverick beat stablemate My Wee Man in the Sir Lincoln at Alabar Riverton Trotting Cup at Ascot Park on Sunday.
The winning margin was a nose.
"He (Blair Orange) goes round more than me so I thought he must be right."
The six year old Bettor's Delight gelding which is part-owned by McGrath with Ken and Ann-Marie Spicer has now won nine races.
"He's had a Methven Workout and he's been to the beach a few times and he's started to work really good in the last few weeks. I thought 35 (metres) might be a bit tough today."
He now carries a rating of 102 and McGrath says it'll be very hard to place Maverick in races that he's competitive in.
"Very hard. He's not very far away from being retired. He'll go away and a be a hack. He's a lovely quiet horse."
McGrath has had the gelding since he was a late three year old. He won one race for David and Catherine Butt.
He's out of the nineteen win Holmes Hanover mare Kate's First whose wins include the 1997 Auckland Cup.
The win on Sunday was McGraths 500th. His first was Lasting Vance at Westport in December 1999.
Meanwhile quality colt Franco Santino won the SBS Bank Nugget Final holding off a late charging Lawrence to win by a length.
He's owned by Riverton fisherman Neville Cleaver. As part of the Riverton Trotting Clubs Owner For The Day promotion the horse was also 'gifted' to Monique and Christian Harvey.
Oliver Kite, Franco Santino, Neville Cleaver and Monique and Christian Harvey – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing