Eastern Southland harness racing trainer Wayne 'Sid' Breen loves the stock of dual New Zealand Cup winner Flashing Red and so do some of his owners – particularly those based in Australia where Flashing Red won most of his races.
His latest runner from the sire is Flashing On who after failing in the South of the Waitaki race at Addington on Show Day redeemed himself thanks to a canny Nathan Williamson drive at Ascot Park today.
The five year old gelding broke nearing the home straight at Addington which disappointed his owners as his form heading into the race was very good.
"He travelled up good but never really ate up that well that night. He paced awful in the prelim. He saw all the big balloons the kids were running around in the paddling pools with and the eyes popped out of his head. He can throw in a bad one from time to time and it just happened to be in a thirty grand race," said Breen.
He said they all took the result on the chin and regrouped.
"I brought him down last Friday and Tommy Beckett (horse chiropractor) went over him. He gave him a bit of a jolt, bang and a crack. Tommy said he was quite sore in the muscles but that could have been from the travelling too. He worked real good on Friday so we thought he'd be spot on."
Flashing On and Nathan Williamson winning Photo Bruce Stewart
The gelding has only been with Breen since April after he was leased after running sixth in a claiming race at Gore.
"I had a big horse called Flashing On Empty and he ran third to Knockmanaugh and Simple Pleasure at Wairio. I quite liked him but he used to hit a knee bad. Shane Matheson got him a home on one of the big stations as a hack. Mark Gutsell said to me that this horse would suit me. The boys in Aussie are mad on Flashing Reds so we thought we'd better go with him. He's just been doing hill work since I shifted out to Billy Heads old place at Waimumu."
The gelding is raced by Breen, Paul Matheson, Ross Cleland, Peter and Shaun Kidd (Aussie connection), Shane Matheson and Lisa Barry.
"I'm keen on racing him in the Country Cups races."
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing