Boudica – have horse will travel

Accompanied by the much travelled Boudica, (Sportswriter) Waterlea harness racing trainer Tony Thomas has been up and down State Highway One a fair bit in the last few months.

After running an excellent second to Folklore (Sportswriter) in last Friday night’s (Jan. 27) Group Two Premier Mares Championship, the five year old mare backed up nicely at Oamaru today (Feb. 2) winning Heat Three of the Southern Standardbred Breeders Southern Belle Series.

BOUDICA REPLAY

Driver Ricky May positioned her in the one one and she was too good for Ariella (Art Major) winning by a head. 

“I knew we’d be in the money after Friday’s run. It wasn’t the same class today. She’s a horse that can peel off a 55 half so it’s a big plus when you’ve got one that can do that,” Thomas said.

The winning time of 2-24.1 was a new mares and allcomers record. Belmont Fire (Courage Under Fire) 2-25.0 and Italian Lad (Bettor’s Delight) 2-24.2 were the two previous record holders.

Thomas took two horses to the races today with White Diamond Gold (Gold Ace) finishing third in the first race.

“They’re the best of mates. Boudica is a horse that’s in season all year round. She’s lovely in the cart and on the track but she can be a bit of a handful to do anything with.”

Boudica was bred by Gavin Smith and is out of two win Mach Three mare April Rose. Her second dam Quest For Glory (Clever Innocence) is from one of the most successful Southland harness racing families. She left New Age Man (Oblivion II) which won all of his thirteen starts. She also left Extraordinaire (Oblivion II) the winner of five from just seven starts and Cool Age Man (Miles McCool) which won three from eight. Ricky May drove New Age Man for nine of his thirteen wins.

Boudica was purchased from the Gavelhouse Website by Thomas’s son Jeremy when offered by Smith. 

“The first time I went to see her I said to him (Jeremy) where’s the rest of the horse because she was that small. She was a cheap buy.”

After qualifying for Thomas and initially racing out of his stable she had stints with Clark Barron and John Morrison, then was sent back to Thomas again.

Other good winners for Thomas have been Kirwan’s Reward (Camtastic) which won seven races and Our Suzie (WRN) which won five.

“This one (Boudica) because of the times she’s running is going better than they did.”

Thomas spent most of his life on the West Coast. He was President of the Reefton Trotting Club for fifteen years and Vice President for the previous ten years.

He says he will now line Boudica up in next Friday nights $90,000 Group One New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington and then look at racing her in the Southern Country Cups series before running in the Southern Belle Final.

The next $15,000 heat of the Southern Belle Series will be held at the Riverton Trotting Club meeting at Ascot Park on Sunday 12th February. The $30,000 final will be staged at Winton on 13th April.

Meanwhile Lone Wolf (Sweet Lou) provided junior driver Sarah O’Reilly with her two hundredth driving win. 

The four year old gelding came from well off the pace, joined in late and got up to win by a neck from Oliver North (Life Sign).

LONE WOLF REPLAY

Sarah’s first winner was Highland Reign (McArdle) for trainer Bruce Negus at Banks Peninsula in April 2018.

Of her 200 winners thirty eight have been for Michael House, twenty four for Kentuckiana Lodge, thirteen for father Gerard, nine for Brian Norman, nine collectively for Brent White and Brent and Tim White in their partnership and eight for Rob Davis.

Her biggest winners have been Buckskin (American Ideal) 8, Doctor Tim (Bettor’s Delight) 6, Ideal Invasion (Monarchy) 5, Sugar Me (Sweet Lou) 5 and Lilac Star (Mach Three) 5.

Sarah was New Zealand’s leading junior driver in 2022 (70 winners) and 2021 (76).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink