Back to back wins for Auckland Reactor gelding

The wins keep coming for Junior driver Harrison Orange and Canterbury based trainer Michael House with the pair combining to clinch the Wellington – Otaki Cup double after Gotta Elect Bill (Auckland Reactor) took out the Grant Plumbing Ltd Otaki Cup Mobile Pace yesterday.

“It was pretty cool to get back to back wins on him in these country cups” said Orange “I thought we’d possibly get a similar run to what we did on Sunday given the field and draws were pretty much the same but he was really tough and deserved the wins both days.”

Starting from a wide draw of eight, Orange sent Gotta Elect Bill forward and after briefly sitting three wide early, settled in the parked position outside the leader Lord Delmar. The leader set only a moderate pace and Orange began to apply pressure from the 800 metre mark, moving forward to eyeball Lord Delmar until the top of the home straight. Gotta Elect Bill got his head in front with around 300 metres to run and showed his toughness when battling on to the line to win by a length over stable mate The Next Best Thing (2nd) and Lord Delmar (3rd).

It was the six year old gelding’s eighth career win from 44 starts and brought his earning’s to just over $78,000.

Orange also scored a winning driving double yesterday when Kourtney Kardash won the Raynor Holdings Ltd Mobile Pace for Pukekohe trainer Shane Butcher. It was a dominant win by Bettor’s Delight mare, who after sitting parked cleared out to win by a 4.5 length margin and gave the mare back to back wins over the two day meeting.

Also of note at Otaki were two significant milestone events with Canterbury trainer Bernard Lomas scoring his first training win, and Dylan Ferguson scoring his 200th driving win on the Murray Logan trained Captain Zenzi.

Lomas’ win came when The Gardener’s Pride took out the Kapiti Members and Supporters Handicap Trot and it was also the 11 year old mare’s maiden win.

“I’m originally from Levin and have plenty of family up here who were all here today” said Lomas “As kids we went to the Levin and Otaki races, and it was one of my bucket list things to race a horse at Otaki, so it was pretty special to get my first win here.”

“It’s really a great feeling of satisfaction as I’ve done everything with the mare from breeding and foaling her, to breaking her in and training her.”

Driven by junior driver Stephanie Burley, the mare stepped quickly to head the field over the first half of the race. At the 1000 metre mark, the trailing Henrik Lundqvist peeled out and took over the lead, providing The Gardener’s Pride with cover through to the passing lane. Upon seeing open ground, the mare ran on well levelling the leader and running on by to win by 2.5 lengths after a foot perfect race.

“She’d only been worked quietly leading into day one of Otaki as she’d had a minor issue, so she really needed that run on Sunday which brought her on nicely for today’s win and Stephanie drove her beautifully.”

Uniquely, The Gardener’s Pride also had a daughter competing in the same event, Senior Constable Liz, who finished in sixth place.

“Senior Constable Liz is named after my sister who was a police officer and unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago” said Lomas “She went well enough today and I’ll probably be back again with her next year as we have had such a wonderful time racing here. Buddy Lammas who hosted the horse, and all the locals have just been great and were full of congratulations after the win.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand