Quality trotter Smokey Mac took the next step when he dealt to a very good field of R66 and faster trotters at Ascot Park today (Saturday).
He's been the trotting find of the Southland season so far and continues to impress his Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray.
“I actually think he’s turned a corner. At Roxburgh he blew a bit and he just wasn’t right. He had a cut on his leg. I thought we’d just take him home and take him to the workouts. But we kept him at home to keep him settled. In the past ten days he’s gone forward and stopped blowing.”
The plan worked and after leading, then handing up to War Machine, he came up the passing lane for driver Brent Barclay to beat Alderbeck and War Machine.
“He’s better from behind. He won a nice race at Winton coming from last. He’s got speed and he’s one of those horses you’ve got to go with. It was just another genuious Brent drive.”
The four year old gelding, which is owned by John and Pam MacLeod of Winton, is still a work in progress says Gray.
"He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve but they’re getting less.”
Smokey Mac is named after John MacLeod whose nickname is Smokey.
"Pam never told me about the name until it came through," said John.
Smokey Mac is out of the Armbro Invasion mare Uncatchable and her pedigree goes back to a breed that Doug McCormick has had plenty of success with.
"We bought the mare with a foal at foot online in a standardbred auction. She was with Ross Hope. She had The Badger at foot. We put her in foal to Thanksgiving again and got Smokey Mac."
The MacLeods are enjoying the success Smokey Mac is having. Today's win was his fourth this season from just seven starts.
"It's absolutely amazing."
Winning connections and sponsors. Pam and John MacLeod far right – Photo Bruce Stewart
Gray says he hasn't looked too far ahead in setting out a programme for the four year old.
“We’re just going to have to place him, be wary and pick good races for him. He’s not a week in week out racehorse," he said.
Earlier in the day Gray also won with the Charlie and Ailsa Smaill owned Elva Jaccka, taking out the 2700 metre stand event by four and a half lengths.
Elva Jaccka cruising down to the line for Brent Barclay – Photo Bruce Stewart.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
Smokey Mac winning at Ascot Park