Winton trainer Chelsea Faithful admits she gets nervous prior to her horses racing and today on her home track at Winton she was doubly so, with two runners in the New Zealand Bloodstock Junior Drivers Mobile Pace.
Four year old mare Pay Me Speedy, having only her second start, duly did the business, coming from the back and winning by three quarters on a length from Robyns Shadow.
“It’s always a bit nerve wracking watching one of your own especially her, because I’ve got a bit of a wrap on her,” Faithful commented after the win.
Although she holds a junior license herself, she chose to give the drives to Mark Hurrell (Pay Me Speedy)and Ollie Kite (Tartan Roxy 11th ).
Prior to today’s run Pay Me Speedy had had two workouts.
“I just wanted a quiet one for the first (workout) but she wanted to over race and broke. Nathan drove her the next time and we changed a bit of gear.”
Driven by Mark Hurrell today, her winning time of 2-56.8 was impressive for a mare of her grade. This was her second win in as many starts.
“She settled pretty well for Mark today. She can get keen but she’s still learning the game. I did expect her to go well but perhaps need the run and to do something like that was pretty impressive.”
Pay Me Speedy is owned by Faithful, her grandparents Norm and Bev Cox, and her mother Louise Cox.
She’s out of the Artsplace mare Pay Me Painter which won four races and was placed in the Southland Oaks.
“She’s still pretty green and I’ve never really screwed her down. Providing everything goes to plan I think she’ll have a bright enough future. The phone will start ringing again and for now I’d like to say I’ll keep her. She’s my baby.”
Norm, Bev and Louise Cox, Chelsea Faithful, Pay Me Speedy and Mark Hurrell – Photo Bruce Stewart
The win reinforces Faithful’s remarkable strike rate but with the recent retirement of Tartan Trilogy, the sale of Toby O’Gara to Australia, and Imperial Tartan breaking down, her training numbers have been halved.
“I’ve gone from six to three so I’ve got a bit of time on my hands and I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Meanwhile Panspacificflight gelding Macandrew Aviator won at his second start for trainers Kirstin Barclay and Tank Ellis.
The four year old came home nicely on debut on this course in October in the hands of Brent Barclay. He reined the gelding today as well, beating second favourite Angus by a nose.
Harry H having his third start for Southland trainer Shane Matheson won at odds of 29 to 1. The Muscle Yankee gelding had previously won seven races for a number of North Island trainers. He’s a half -brother to Martina H and Tony H.
by Bruce Stewart