Two of the most impressive winners at windy Ascot Park on Sunday were the Brent Shirley trained pair Zen Warrior and Black Athena.
Zen Warrior did the right thing for part owner Garry Tippett when he won the Kia/Isuzu Southland Vehicle Sales Mobile Pace.
Tippet, who has a third share in the gelding with trainer's wife Raywyn Shirley and John Edminstin is also part owner of sponsors Southland Vehicle Sales.
“He gives it all and I don’t think the C2 grade will worry him. He’s half tough and has good manners,” said trainer Brent Shirley of Zen Warrior.
In yesterday’s race he settled in the second half of the field eventually getting a sit behind In The Kitty. He peeled out with 300 metres to run, was launched four wide by driver Nathan Williamson and bolted in winning by two lengths from Lite Platinum who ran home nicely for second.
The time of 2-49.2 was creditable in the windy conditions.
It was the gelding’s third win from fourteen career starts.
Edminstin has had success racing When The Musics Over and Rowchester while Tippett is a member of the Setarip Syndicate which has had a handful of winners over many years of racing horses in the south.
Williamson also paired up for Shirley’s second winner Black Athena in the Cleanways 2003 Limited Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace.
The half-sister to cup class pacer Vi Et Animo, progressed three wide early before taking the lead. From there she ran her rival ragged clearing out at the top of the straight and bolting in by five lengths.
“It was the windiest part of the day. She’s tough but will develop speed. She’s getting her head around racing and her run the week before at Wyndham was also good,” Shirley said.
Black Athena is raced by Wayne and Allison McCulloch in partnership with Peter Ford from Forde Auto Services and his wife Liz.
Her winning time was 2-46.1.
Shirley says former stable star Vi Et Animo is enjoying retirement.
“After running third at Forbury we retired him. He’s now out at Riding for the Disabled."
"They love him out there. He’s coming home on the 29th when they close down for the holidays."
"If anyone is going on a Cavalcade he could be available to the right person. He’s bullet proof.”
Meanwhile the Shirley trained Costa Del Magnifico looks ready for a return to racing after winning at the Invercargill workouts last Friday.
He was being primed for an appearance at Addington on Cup Day but had to be scratched.
“When he was at my place he jumped on a cornet so I sent him to Nathan Williamson’s to use his pool. He got a couple of runs (fast work) into him and he was spot on for Cup Day. Then the night before he raced he had to be scratched because he got an abscess on the other foot.”
The plan for the talented four year old is to start in a junior drivers race at Ascot Park on the 4th December when he’ll be driven by Matt Anderson. He'll then head to Addington before returning to Southland to race in the Winton and Wairio Cups. He may also go to Omakau.
Bruce Stewart
Reproduced with permission of Southland Harness Racing – Check site here