Few harness racing punters were expecting The Dali Express to win at Ascot Park yesterday.
Despite showing some good workout form the Dali three year old had a below average race day scorecard with a thirteenth at Winton and a seventh on his track in his only two starts.
However as owners Murray and Wendy Swain both pointed out he'd hadn't had much luck either.
"He was unlucky last start. He was five deep (on the inside) and it was all over after the leader ran his last quarter in 27 seconds. It just worked out perfectly for him today," said Murray.
Driver Allan Beck positioned The Dali Express three back on the inside while Better Than Most set the pace. With 400 metres to run the field opened up and Beck was able to get him off the running line. At the top of the straight the ear plug came out and he started to make up the four lengths behind Better Than Most. He came down the middle of the track to win easily by three quarters of a length. The 2200 metres was run in a smart 2-42.4.
The Dali Express winning Photo by Bruce Stewart
"I bought him at the Christchurch Weanling Sales for five grand. I liked the look of him. There's about 24 Dali's around and I've got three of them."
Straight after the run local agent Geoff Gibson-Smith was on the scene.
"All of my horses are for sale. He's a nice handy horse that's getting better and better all the time. He's just taken time to develop. He wasn't a high speed horse at two but he's got great confirmation."
Swain also has high hopes for a two year old that he took to the Winton Workouts on Friday. Major McRae is by Art Major out of the Christian Cullen mare Whitewash. He owns the gelding with Wayne Pope.
Meanwhile Invercargill lawyer Lester Smith, driver Brent Barclay and Winton trainer Lauren Pearson scored a double yesterday when Reciprocity won the Gore New World Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace and Venice Beach won her second race in as many starts when she took out the last race on the card.
Reciprocity is a three year old filly by Panspacificflight out of Weka Lass which Wayne Adams trained to win six races. Barclay took her straight to the lead and she won by one and a half lengths.
Reciprocity winning easily Photo by Bruce Stewart
Venice Beach was even more impressive. She settled last on the inside, got off the running line when Betta Go Fernco improved with 600 metres to run and followed that horse up. The Somebeachsomewhere filly was brought five wide at the top of the straight and charged home to beat Bootie Bromac by a length and a quarter. The winning time for the 1700 metres was 2-04.4 with Venice Beach running her last 800 metres in 56.6.
It was the second time Pearson has scored a double. The first was on her home track in May 2010 when Montecrengle and Akaroa Charlie won. Both were driven by Barclay.
The Pearson/Barclay combination looked unlucky when their other run Highland Girl broke at the start, made a run from the 600 and got within a length and a half of the winner Northview Dave.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing