Oreti Beach trainer Paul 'Tank' Ellis has put the disappointment of Shezacullegirl's poor run at Alexandra Park on Friday behind him and the win at Ascot Park today by Machjagger certainly helped.
"It's taken ages to get her looking good again. She's looking good now and has gone good," said Ellis after the Justa Tiger mare won narrowly.
Ellis has had the mare at his stable for a while now, having transferred out to the beach while still under Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray's name. The mare has officially raced under Ellis's name twice, and he's been able to try different training methods with her.
"This week Hilly (stable foreman Paul Hillis) has been riding her. Dexter (Dunn) was happy with her last week. He said that she just got outsprinted. This week he drove her more aggressively and he wasn't going to get outsprinted. She gets down on her bumpers but when she's looking good and she's all muscled up over her behind she doesn't get down on them."
Machjagger (15) beating Wayward Roc (1) by a half a head – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Machjagger has now won four races including on the grass at Waikouaiti. The Wyndham Meeting at Cromwell early in the New Year is one of her targets.
"She's got a real good group of owners. There'll be a few drinks over Christmas hopefully for them. The boys have got a crib up in Cromwell so that's where she'll be."
Meanwhile Ellis's quality mare Shezacullengirl which finished last in the Northern Breeders Stakes in Auckland on Friday night is coming home.
"She chaffed up real bad on one side. She never chaffs up. It was caused by going that way round. She's in a real happy spot down here so I'll bring her back. Mango (driver Brent Mangos) said she just didn't feel right the whole way. We'll get her back. There are plenty of races after Christmas for her."
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness racing
Machjagger winning yesterday.