Triumphant return for Simone Lindenny

Simone Lindenny (Love You) fitted straight back into harness racing life in New Zealand when she won her first start in this country since returning from Australia.

Owned by her trainer Brad Williamson and Grant Gray, the six year old mare was sent to Australia in June last year. She won three races there and was placed over a mile in 1-55.9 at Menangle.

“It wasn’t the plan to bring her home. I thought she would be racing over there for another year or two. She won a couple of races for Brent Lilley quite quickly. He said it was probably time to send her home because she was giving them trouble. She’s not the easiest to handle. We gave her a wee freshen up and decided to give her a wee bit more racing,” Williamson said.

Driven by Kerryn , Simone Lindenny began well off the 30 metre handicap and quickly slotted into fourth on the inside running line. Inside the last 600 metres she was looking for a run behind leader Bill Bootit and was starting to throw her head around. After coming off the inside as the field turned for home, Tomlinson was able to secure a run between Bill Bootit and Mad Jack, going on to win by a length and a half from KD Royalty which came up the passing lane.

SIMONE LINDENNY REPLAY

“I didn’t expect it. It’s not easy to win fresh up off a handicap. She won well at the Oamaru trials last week. I was just hopeful to run top four.”

Meanwhile Ultimate Cullect (Ultimate Sniper) continued her winning way when taking out the Phillips Transport/Brett Gray Stables Mobile Pace.

The three year old fill, after leading into the straight, looked to be about to get run down by a late charging Rollon Summer but she started to pace rough inside the last 50 metres and rolled into a break, leaving Ultimate Cullect to score her third race in a row from just four starts.

With the Phillips family who own the winner and trainer Brett Gray sponsoring the race it was a perfect result.

The Central Southland based Phillips family had a great day all round, with John Phillips training Midnight Runner to win a $40,000 race at Riccarton today. Family members own both Ultimate Cullect and galloper Midnight Runner.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink