Trotting double for Robert Wilson

Two wins today at Winton took Balfour harness racing trainer Robert Wilson to fifty training wins.

The double started in the New World Winton Handicap Trot when Angus Hall gelding Willangus Lad led for most to the journey for driver John Morrison, and was too good for his ten rivals, winning by a length and a half.

Willangus Lad warming up for John Morrison

The five-year-old has shown plenty of talent prior to today’s run, having won three of his twenty-four starts and being placed in ten others.

Lap to run

At the finish

“He’s a nice horse who’s come back strong. After he broke at Addington at the end of last season, we turned him out. When we reshod him we found underunners (like stone bruising) in both front feet, so he wasn’t a happy horse and did well to disguise it. He’s come back stronger than ever and he’s healthy, so probably in for a good season,” Wilson said.

Returning to the stables

Two races later One Two Menny demonstrated the improvement he’s made when he won the Gold Chip Final for trotters.

One Two Menny warming up for Kirk Larsen

The well-bred four-year-old began super fast and was up challenging for the front early before he galloped, losing ten lengths. Driver Kirk Larsen was able to get him back down trotting again and within 100 metres he easily trotted past pacemaker Minnie McGoogan.

Lap to run

From that point there was no stopping the talented square gaiter and he went down to the line untouched to win by five lengths from Jaccka Watch.

At the finish

One Two Menny hasn’t been with Wilson for long, having previously been trained by Ken Barron who won one race with the four-year-old.

“He could always run but he’s been a work in progress who’s improving all the time. I hope we’re winning with him.”

Back to the birdcage

To the stables

Wilson thinks the Balfour life agrees with One Two Menny.

“It’s just been time, going round and round and not panicking too much. We’re trying to keep him relaxed and I find him a lovely horse to work with. He and I get on pretty well together.”

One Two Menny is by Majestic Son out of Great Success mare One Two Kenny, a daughter of One Under Kenny, the winner of eleven races.

“As you can see he’s got huge ability and it’s a case of getting it out of him.”

Wilson has a good team of trotters in work at the moment. He also rates Don Ameche who finished eleventh in the same race.

“He’s going round and has just got to learn the trade. I think he’s got as much ability as One Two Menny and Willangus Lad. Sam (Ottley) drove him today and she was thrilled with him.”

View the Winton results click here!

by Bruce Stewart