Mobile the key for unruly trotter’s impressive win

Crusher Collins can be more than a handful but when she comes out and wins like she did at Winton today, harness racing trainer Lyndon Bond is prepared to forgive all other misdemeanours.

“I’ve just tried to keep her quiet because she’s a growly old tart. It was great that the Winton Club put on the mobile for the unruly trotters. It’s awesome to pick one up. You don’t get them programmed down here that often,” he said after the eight year old mare in the hands of Sam Ottley powered home down the middle of the track to win the Murray Gray Memorial Mobile Trot.

It was the mare’s eighth win and Bond says Crusher Collins (The Pres) is in her last season of racing. She’ll return to her owners Bevan and Keith Grice who will match her with a stallion.

CRUSHER COLLINS REPLAY

“We’re going to get her first foal. That’s the deal with the Grice’s.”

Meanwhile Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson is over the moon after scoring a double at Addington last night.

Williamson’s run started when Master Lavros broke. Giant trotter Andy Hall carved his way through a gap in the inside and won by a head.

“The gap was probably going to come on the outside of the leader anyway. I was really pleased with him. He likes it when the speed is on. Any stop start affairs he doesn’t really like. He’s got another run in a fortnight and then he’ll have a bit of a break too.”

Sand Wave completed the double when he won the Listed $50,000 Garrards Sires Stakes Magnifique, beating Cyrus by a length after leading most of the way.

“He’s developed into a lovely wee horse. I thought there’d be a bit of speed early, which there was. Matty (Williamson) won the battle for the front, and I thought Cantfindabetterman (driven by Matty) had used a bit of petrol and would be looking for a trail and he was, so it worked out well,” Williamson said.

It was the horse’s eighth win and he’ll have a short break before returning to the stable with his main target the New Zealand Derby to be run at Addington in December.

For complete Winton results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart