"He's got a good motor and he keeps doing what you ask of him and that's all you can ask," said driver Nathan Williamson after Picketts Ridge won the $12,000 Gold Nuggets Final at Wyndham yesterday (Saturday).
It was noticeable prior to the start, that Williamson was keeping the four year old busy warming him up away from other horses.
"He just seems to trot through that early part of the race if you keep him moving around prior to the start. I thought by keeping him warm it would help and he trotted off the mark good today."
Picketts Ridge stepped well and was kept wide early before reaching the top with just over a lap to run.
"I said to the guys I didn't want to push him early just in case he had a silly gallop for no reason. He felt pretty solid and that was as good as he's trotted."
At the end of the 2400 metres Picketts Ridge and favourite Pres The Belle were left to fight out the finish with Picketts Ridge getting there by half a head.
"We had to get there without galloping. It's a fine line. I had to give him a couple on the bum to make sure he got the job done and he kept digging in."
Trainer John Ryan holding the head of Picketts Ridge with Tony and Phillipa Holland are either side of
driver Nathan Williamson – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Owned by Tony and Phillipa Holland and trained by John Ryan the gelding was bred by Macca Lodge which owns a full brother called Cuchulainn. He's three.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
Picketts Ridge winning at Wyndham