Longbush trainer Alan Paisley stole the show with three winners at Ascot Park yesterday (Saturday) when grass track harness racing racing returned to Invercargill after a forty eight year break.
His three winners were; Gotta Good Looker, Glacier Coaster and Overcast. Kirk Larsen drove Gotta Good Looker while Ellie Barron reined Glacier Coaster and Overcast; her first ever driving double.
It's the second time Paisley has trained three winners in one day. In December 2006 at Invercargill he won with Mystical Lad, Atom Queen and Glacier Holmes all driven by Alistar Black. Black drove six winners that day. The other two for Wayne Adams were Weka Lass and Jaccka Turbo.
Overcast and Ellie Barron too good for Moniburns – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Gotta Good Looker, owned by Paisley and his wife Gail, trailed leader Razcal Alley until the top of the straight and let down nicely to beat Vintage Rose by three quarters of a length. It was the Gotta Go Cullect mare's fifteenth start and first win. She'd been knocking on the door with two thirds in her previous two starts.
Three races later the gold and black colours of Paisley were to the fore again when junior driver Ellie Barron got three year old Ohoka Arizona filly Glazier Coaster home in the Waikiwi Tavern Mobile Pace.
At her previous start at Winton she'd locked wheels with another horse tipping Barron out of the cart. Glazier Coaster's win was very similar to her stablemate. She trailed the leader Star Reactor until the passing lane. Barron then reined the three year old filly up the passing lane holding on to beat Idol Matinee by a head.
Glacier Coaster is out of the unraced Bettor's Delight mare Glacier Delight who is out of the seven win Holmes Hanover mare Bernanne Chip whom Paisley trained in the late 1990s, early 2000s. Her wins included the 2001 Gore Centennial Trotting Cup.
A race later the Paisley – Barron combination was in the winners circle again when Sundon mare Overcast won her eighth race. The eight year old is part-owned by Paisley and long time stable client Kevin Schuck.
Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"We've been trying to get her in foal. She been seen by vets and we've mucked around with her so we haven't been able to train her properly. She didn't hold so in the end she had two workouts before Dexter (Dunn) drove her when she won at Gore two starts ago on the grass. She's been working outstandingly at home. She's been racing in the right grade. The system (rating system) has definitely worked for her," said Paisley.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness
Overcast winning at Ascot Park