Ameigo gets the biggest cheer of the day

Most harness racing trainers would have said adios amigo to an eleven year old trotter having start number thirty nine, but not Kath O’Connor and her daughter Serenity. 

Their love and faith in Ambro Ameigo (Armbro Invasion) goes above and beyond and that manifested into a well-deserved win today at the Winton meeting. 

In today’s race Ambro Ameigo began well for driver Rory McIIwrick before settling fourth on the inside. With just under a lap to run McIIwrick moved the gelding out to sit parked.

At the 900 they were matching strides with leader Velocity Jet (Quaker Jet). Turning in Ambro Ameigo took the lead and held on to beat Janaka’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) by half a length. 

AMBRO AMEIGO REPLAY

Bred by Maurice Wharton the horse was gifted to Kath and Serenity. 

“We persisted with him because it was exciting for Maurice and for us. He’s always shown potential, but he’s had soundness issues,” Serenity said. 

He’s out of the Simon Roydon mare Princess Afton who’s a half-sister to Frances Jay Bee (Pointer Hanover) which left outstanding Sundon trotters One Over Kenny (32 wins), One Kenny (19) and One Under Kenny (11). 

Ambro Ameigo qualified as a six year old at Wyndham in February 2017 and had eleven starts that season for three minor placings. The following season he started seventeen times for a win and four minor placing. He was then off the scene for four years before returning to the track in September 2022. 

His last win was at the Northern Southland meeting in October 2017.  

The horse has suffered quarter crack issues for most of his career and it’s been hard to get him shod correctly.  

“Richard Collie has been shoeing for the last two years and he’s done a wonderful job. He’s a blacksmith who listens. Sometimes when the horse gets on the toe it makes him look like he’s lame but he’s been sound for a long time. He was quite a nervy type when Mum first got him, so we had to go back to the basics. He’s a pleasure to deal with and wonderful to float. He can be quite cheeky and hard to catch. He’s pretty full of beans at the moment.” 

He hasn’t always been a good patient. 

“He’s the type of horse you’ve got to try and put a lid on. If he’s at home he thinks he’s a spring chicken and he keeps ripping around. When things are going well, he races around trying to beat Mum on the motor bike.” 

Kate O’Connor has a twelve acre block at Knapdale with a small jogging track and sometimes takes Ambro Ameigo to Robin Swain’s track which is just down the road. She’s had a trainer’s license for eight seasons and her only other winner has been Ronnoco (Enrique) which won three.  

“Rob used to drive him (Ambro Ameigo) but he’s stepped away from that now. The horse really likes Rory. He seems to click with him. Maybe it’s his easy going nature so we’re really grateful for what he’s done for us.” 

Serenity has been around standardbreds most of her life, working for Charlie Smaill at Jaccka Lodge and staying on when Brent and Sheree McIntyre bought the property and it became Macca Lodge. She worked at Macca Lodge for ten years. 

The only other horse O’Connor has in work at present is ten start maiden Cosmic Aurum (Gold Ace). 

For complete race results, click here

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink