Pembrook Playboy showed all the qualities of a horse going places when he beat a tidy field at the Northern Southland Trotting Club Meeting at Ascot Park today.
What made the win memorable was that he had to sit parked, but still had the class to win.
“I was following two horses that I didn’t want to be following so I had to commit to the outside. The horse did the rest. He went great,” Williamson said.
His trainer has always known the Bettor’s Delight entire has speed but today he showed great staying qualities.
“He’s developing into a very good all round horse. That’s what he needed today, a nice hard run. He’s a pretty good horse.”
After sitting parked outside leader Memphis Tennessee for the last 1650 metres Pembrook Playboy was brave in winning by half a length from Memphis Tennessee. The winning time was 3-21.5 with the last 800 metres cut out in 55.3.
“He felt good but they were going a bit. He hadn’t raced for a while so he was busy enough out there.”
Pembrook Playboy was bought by owner Chris Alcock at the 2018 National Yearling Sales. He’s out of the three win Christian Cullen mare Dudinka’s Star whose wins included the Great Northern Oaks and the Group One Ladyship Stakes.
The four year old holds a nomination for the New Zealand Cup.
“It’s not a goal. We’ll continue to pay up. If the field falls away and he gets a start it won’t be a bad idea as part of his growing up process. He’s probably twelve months – even two years away. He’s only four and hasn’t got the ring craft.”
Meanwhile Her Majesty overcame a second line draw to lead and hang on to win the Walker Murdoch Mobile Pace.
The four year old mare driven by co-trainer Kirstin Barclay got a nice run through on the back of favourite Miss Auckland and made the lead inside the first 400 metres.
Her Majesty which is a sister to Dizzy Miss Lizzy and Lady Madonna was starting to get the stitch at the end of the 2200 metres but held on to beat Maya Angelou.
Willangus Lad showed plenty of tenacity when after being headed by Insist The Win, he came again to win his second race in as many starts.
The Angus Hall five year old trained by Northern Southland Committee man Robert Wilson took over the lead after early leader Madrik broke.
The winning margin was half a length.
Jabali came from three back on the inside to nab pacemaker Hazer by a neck in Race Five.
It was the ten year old’s sixth win in ninety two starts for trainer Ross Hope. Jabali has now won over $66,000.
Promising Sentry won the Regent Car Court/Caduceus Club Of Southland Nuggets Final for trainer Craig Laurenson.
The Chelsea Faithful trained Toby O’Gara capped off a memorable day when he outfinished his rival to win the GJ Gardner Homes Mobile Pace.
by Bruce Stewart