Harness racing trainer Stephen Hale had a look at the draw for his grey mare Lilly Jones at Addington tonight and his head dropped.
Barrier nine over 1950 metres with some smart fillies drawn inside him was the last thing he had hoped for and he was unsure weather to go forward or back.
Stephen, who works his horses at Cran Dalgety's Kentuckiana Lodge was having morning tea at the stables this morning when he mentioned his dilemma.
Cran is never one to hold back when asked his opinion as Stephen related to Harnesslink tonight.
" Cran pointed out the only thing you win pulling back is a tug of war contest."
" So I told my driver Peter Davis to go forward and press on," Stephen said.
Which is exactly what Peter Davis did, leading after 300 metres with Lilly Jones and then he continued to run them along at a steady clip and come the finishing line was still in front.
Peter Davis was suitably impressed with the good looking daughter of Klondike Kid.
" That was a really good effort from the outside of the gate."
" She never looked like giving it away," Peter said.
Stephen was more than happy with the outcome.
" She works on her own most of the time and I think she would have won at Motukarara last Sunday but she got a bit lost the last little bit."
" She needs to be out and rolling in her races as she hasn't got a real sharp sprint on her."
" We will probably head to Methven now with a fair bit of confidence" Stephen said.
Lilly Jones looks to have a fair bit of upside to her judging by tonights win.
Harnesslink Media