The Nigel McGrath trained My Wee Man, impressive winner of the First In Windsor Mobile Pace will stay in the province this week and start in this Sunday's $14,999. Sir Lincoln Riverton Cup.
My Wee Man is owned by Peter Boag and his wife Karen who were both on-course today to see their four year old by Changeover win.
"He's a good tough wee horse. He sort of likes to race near the speed. He was bought at the sales for $18,000 off Grant Crabbe. He qualified as a two year old and ran second in the Sires Stakes Silver. He missed a bit of racing as a three year old because we had to geld him. He was a wee bit colty. It's made a big difference," said Boag.
The Boags who operate a sheep and beef farm in the Greta Valley, also own Dizzy Miss Lizzy which McGrath bought for them at the Sales. She won her first start at the Northern Southland Meeting in March before winning the end of season Two Year Old Diamond on Harness Jewels Day at Ashburton. She won three of her four starts for the McGrath stable.
They also have a full sister to Dizzy Miss Lizzy by Bettor's Delight called Good Day Sunshine. She was purchased by Peter at the sales for $20,000.
"He (McGrath) thinks she'll run as a two year old and hopefully she'll come down here and race in the Caduceus Club of Southland Two Year Old Classic in March."
That race was won by Dizzy Miss Lizzy last season.
Boag's father Peter Senior trained forty nine winners between 1980 and 2001 including Unique Blue Chip (9 wins). He also owned Sundon trotter Unique Star (15 wins).
Incidently Unique Star at the end of his career was trained by Leonne Jones who trained Belmont's Greatest to win at long odds for driver Craig Ferguson today.
Belmont's Greatest (5) beating Grace O'Malley (7) Photo Bruce Stewart.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing