Penelope handle’s delay well

A turret ring in the saddle worn by Penelope Lane (Volstead) caused quite a lengthy delay to Race Six at Oamaru today. However the Brad Williamson trained trotter handled the pressure like a pro and once underway, trotted all the way to win her fourth race in just ten starts at Oamaru today.

“It came out of the saddle. We screwed it back in and as we were scoring up the second time it popped out again. It’s very uncommon. I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen before, not even at home. We ended up racing without it,” Williamson said.

The turret ring holds the rein in and also supports a pole if the horse is wearing one.

“I had to take the pole off which the horse does need. It made things a bit more complicated, but the horse put her best foot forward.”

After a slow start Williamson settled Penelope Lane back on the outside running lane. Inside the last 400 she improved wide and was too strong for Whispering Over, winning by three and a half lengths.

PENELOPE LANE REPLAY

“The race was run at a pretty hot tempo which suited her and she was pretty strong to the line. Her last couple of wins have been at Oamaru which is a hometown advantage. She’s never galloped here, so that’s helping her confidence.”

The three year old filly won her first start but got into a bad habit of breaking.

“She was hanging and getting herself off balance going into the first bend. We’ve changed a bit of gear and the horse has got a bit more confidence and she’s been trotting really well lately.”  

Two possible starts for the three year old are the $140,000 Group One New Zealand Trotting Oaks at Addington on November 21st and the $60,000 Listed Harness 5000 for three year old trotting fillies at Ashburton.

“I think we’ll have a stab at both of them. She’s in the field for Cup Day so I’m not sure whether she’ll get a 10 metre handicap. I think she’s a good staying horse and seems better over distance. She’s quite tough. She may lack a bit of the top speed you’ve got to have for those 1980 metre races.”

Owned by her Winton breeder Michelle Caig, Penelope Lane is out of Lindy Lane mare City Lane, making her a half-sister to Renezmae and Saratoga both of whom won seven races.

“Michelle has made the trip to Oamaru the last couple of times and to say she’s over the moon is an understatement. I think every watch has been a nervous one for Michelle with this horse. She’s thought a lot of her right the way through and turned down some nice enough money for her in the early days. Through that run of gallops I think things would have been quite stressful for her. Thankfully the horse is getting a bit more ringcraft and is starting to repay Michelle’s faith in her and starting to give her plenty of thrills now.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink