The win of Waihemo Art at Waikouaiti on Tuesday belonged to 16-year-old Alana Cameron.
Waihemo Art, a 7-year-old gelding was bought for $700 as riding horse for Alana 18 months ago when retired out of the stable of Gavin Smith. Waihemo Art had failed to win a race in 18 starts.
“He(Waihemo Art) wouldn’t go fast enough when Alana rode him so we put him back into work,’’ said her father, Paul.
Waihemo Art is raced in the name of Alana’s mother, Vicki as Alana is two years too young to race a horse. Alana and friend junior driver John Morrison were still able to stand alongside Waihemo Art for a photo opportunity after the race.
Waihemo Art joined the West Melton stable of Michael House, when it was decided to return him to work. House has trained other horses in the ownership of the Camerons. Waihemo Art has now won four races and he repeated his success of 12 months ago in the race for amateur driver at Waikouaiti with Alan Edge in the sulky
Dexter Dunn, who drove Zimfandel to win the $10,000 Sir Lincoln Graduation Final on Tuesday summed up the performance: “He did it easy.”
Dunn allowed the 3-year-old to settle back in the field and angled him wide in the closing stages for the best part of a rain affected track. Zimfandel came on to win by two and a half lengths. Master Jordy did well for second after racing handy from the 1200m from a second line draw.
The win was penalty free for the Bruce Negus-trained Zimfandel. The owners Murray and Jo Clay also won a service to Sir Lincoln.
Matai Katie, who was switched from pacing to trotting, made the grade at her ninth start. “She is the only trotter in the family,’’ said her Edendale owner-trainer-driver Alex Milne who races the 6-year-old Elsu – Matai Princess mare with his wife, Karen. Matai Katie was placed in four of her 18 starts as a pacer before she qualified as a trotter two years ago.
Alex Milne, the late father of Alex began an association with the family 50 years ago when Matai Song (Flying Song – Trout Stream) won him one race from 44 starts. Matai Song left Matai Dreamer, who won 17 in New Zealand including the 1979 Great Northern Derby. Alex jun drove Wai Matai, another of the progeny of Matai Song in a race at Waikouaiti in 1973.
The $40,000 Northern Southland Cup on March 11 is a target for Titan Banner, who is back in the Westwood stable of Graeme Anderson. Titan Banner, who has not raced since finishing eighth in the Auckland Trotting Cup on December 31, had a lucrative seven month campaign from the stable of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen for three wins including the Franklin Cup and third placings in the NZ Cup and Harness Jewels.
Anderson disclosed the plan for Titan Banner after producing Hopes and Dreams to win on Tuesday. The 4-year-old mare led for most of the way.
Invercargill owner Tom Kilkelly and trainer Kirstin Barclay combined to win C0 races with Don’t Pass I’m Fast and Grace Burns, both driven by Andrew Suddaby. Don’t Pass I’m Fast, a 4-year-old Art Official – Fast Winger mare was a $16,000 purchase at the 2014 premier yearling sale. Kilkelly bred Grace Burns, a 4-year-old by Grinfromeartoear from Gracie May. Don’t Pass I’m Fast, bred by Ray and Maureen Beale, is the ninth individual winner left by Fast Winger, the dam of Armbro Winger and Still Laughin, each the winner of seven races.Gracie May has also left the winner Riverboat Grace.
