Giant five year old mare Machjagger is tough but needs a good draw to show her best ,according to Ryal Bush harness racing trainer Brett Gray.
"She does go good when she gets a good draw and she probably hasn't had one since she won at Waikouaiti," he said after the Justa Tiger mare won her third race at Ascot Park today.
Driver Tim Williams took the mare straight to the lead and she held on to beat My Georgie Boy by two and three quarter lengths.
"She's just better on top. She's often hard to get there because she doesn't have a lot of gait speed."
Machjagger winning her third race at Ascot Park – Photo Bruce Stewart
Gray was quick to give some of the credit for todays win to Oreti Beach trainer Paul 'Tank' Ellis.
"She's been out on the beach for the last couple of weeks with Tank wading in the water. She's had a bit of a big leg and Tank's done a great job. It's been good giving her an environment change to keep the wheels rolling. She's also had a few feet issues. A bit of beach therapy does wonders."
Machjagger is part owned by Stu Sloan of Tussock Creek who was on-course to see the mare win today. She's out of the Mach Three mare Mach N Elle which is also the dam of eight win gelding Darcee.
The win was the twenty second for Gray who leads the Southland Trainers Premiership by five wins over last year's winner Nathan Williamson.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing