Abadabado (Superfast Stuart) is in the form of her life for Gore harness racing trainer Shane Matheson.
After being used to educate young horses she indicated to her trainer that she was ready to go back to the races.
āWe were putting her in front of all our young ones and we thought she was getting better and better so we took her to the workouts, and we just kept on going,ā Matheson said.
He added that the role has made Abadabado more competitive.
āEvery time she went out with one or two they would have to try and get past her but never could. Sheās also got a bit older and sheās really happy.ā
Today driver Blair Orange settled Abadabado three back on the inside with Dwindle Star leading. At the 800 he moved her off the fence with precision and placed her in the one one. Just before the turn Orange eased her out three wide and she let down nicely to beat Dwindle Star by three quarters of a length. It was the mareās third win in six starts and her sixth career win in twenty six starts.
ABADABADO REPLAY
āWe were hoping to get her down in the grade and get her to run in the money at Christmas time, so everything sheās done is way ahead of what we thought. Itās a total surprise.ā
Matheson says a start at the Forbury Park meeting at Wingatui is the seven year old mareās next target.
āBecause sheās so well gaited, grass could be her go. Thereās a 2200 metre stand at Wingatui. I know the good ones are behind her but I think sheāll be competitive. But weāll find out.ā
The horse is owned by members of the Matheson family.
āWe did that to get people to come to the races and they all have. Itās our son and daughtersā first horse. One thing I would say is every time Lisaās (Lisa Barrie ā Mathesonās partner) Mum and her partner have come to see her she hasnāt gone that great. They didnāt come today so theyāre banned from the racecourse (laughter).ā
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink