Clearing maidens – Des Baynes produces stunning winners at Wyndham

In our weekly Clearing Maidens article we look through those breaking through for their first harness racing victories.

It could be a long-time maiden who has finally mastered race rivals or a progressive star of the track in the future – they all got one thing in common now – they’re race winners!

Manuwatu March 26th

Exhilarate (Vincent -Bliss) An exhilarating win at start #15. Producing the goods for the David and Clare McGowan stable in the 3^rd of the day was this son of Vincent. After indifferent form that had resulted in one minor placings in 14 starts Ben Butcher and Exhilarate showed plenty of speed to get over the top of leader Narobi over the last furlong – it was a good win that could mean Exhilarate is one to follow going forward.

Cracker Rock (Rock N Roll Heaven – Smiles For Miles) The Arna Donnelly stable has another prospect in the making here as Cracker Rock produced a strong showing in the 4^th of the day to capture a maiden victory at start #6. The potent sprint shown late by Cracker Rock proved undeniable as the patient David Butcher drive paid off for punters and connections alike. The win coming off the back of two minor placing at the same track over the past 6 weeks or so.

Addington March 27th

Judy J (What The Hill – Arabess) Judy J looks like a nice prospect on this winning effort. Early manners meant that the Tomlinson runner was able to dictate terms throughout the running in the first of the day. Despite mid-race pressure Judy J had far too much for race rivals, winning by some 3 lengths over Practical Magic and Forgiveness.

The win caps some stout performances against nice fields, notably a 2^nd placing in behind Empire City in the Macca Lodge 2YO Fillies Classique at Listed level in November of 2023. Marcoola (Sundon), the Dominion Handicap winner, and the 4-time winner What’s Wanted (Creatine) are also out of dam Arabess, making this a fine trotting family.

Judy J wins with confidence at Addington 

General Jen (Captain Treacherous – Gold Elite) The money went on after some strong trial efforts and the punters got paid! Racing on debut General Jen impressed in her first race day start in the 3^rd of the day at Addington, making the most of the 1/1 sit position to mount a challenge from the 700m – just lasting the late sprint from Forever Dream to claim the win.  The nature of the tough victory meaning General Jen is certainly one to follow in times to come.  General Jen is out of Gold Elite, a 6-time winner who is also the mother to the impressive Wheres The Gold (12 wins) and Charlie Brown (6 wins)

Manuwatu March 28th

Morere (Sweet Lou – Opoutama) A welcome win after some very consistent results of late. After a run of good form for the House barn Morere broke through on Thursday at start #14.  Wilson House and Morere didn’t want to be denied either, going around from the trail early to lead the field throughout the running, the final winning margin a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths over Shirley Bassey. The win meaning dam Opoutama, a 7-time winner herself, is now a winning mother, Morere being her first foal.

Mapua Missie (Shadyshark Hanover – Mapua Mabel) Another longtime maiden passing out of the grade in style. Mapua Missie prevailed by a short margin in the 8^th of the day on Thursday – rewarding punters who got on a generous odds of 18/1. Despite the long wait for the maiden victory the breeding behind the 6yr-old mare suggests there could be more in store. Dam Mapua Mabel is part of a damline that’s produced the likes of Doctor Tim (15 wins) and Mapua Legend (20 wins) The lineage of this breed tracing back to Franciscan, the mother of the open-class pacer in Roman Conqueror (Christian Cullen)

Wyndham March 28th

On The Wing (American Ideal – Holmezy) Saluting in the third of the day at Wyndham, the Des Baynes runner proved too strong for race rivals, scoring at big odds of 30/1 on the easy track after enjoying a peg-line run for much of the race. The debut win came after recent strong showings at workouts – surprisingly the tote odds offered for the horse were far more than what that form suggested as to the ability of the horse. On The Wing is out of Holmezy (Holmes Hanover) a 7-time winner and mother to Holm Three (15 wins) Raffy Roo (3 wins) and Sista Sammy (6 wins)

On The Wing pounces at big odds for the Baynes Stable  

Snap Shot (American Ideal – Jay Bees Snap) The Baynes brigade, buoyed by the win of On The Wing no doubt, immediately kicked on to win the 4^th of the day with this 4yr-old mare out of Jay Bees Snap. Driven by Blair Orange, Snap Shot impressed, producing a weaving run from towards the rear of the field to appear out wide on the track, spearing home to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Another debut winner from the stable, Snap Shot is the third winner out of the dam with Gotta Minute (Badlands Hanover) and You Said It (Well Said) previous winners.

Snap Shot delivers another impressive win for the Baynes stable, backing up the victory of On The Wing

Addington March 30th

Cocktails And Caviar (Bettor’s Delight – Alta Leonie) It didn’t take long for this son of Bettor’s Delight to make an impact. Making his debut at the premier meeting at Addition on Sunday, Cocktails And Caviar was driven like the best horse in the race, and so it was, striding away in the hands of Tim Williams to win effortlessly in 2.25 over the 1980m mobile trip, the win coming after some impressive workout and trial form in recent weeks.

There’s much to like about his breeding too, dam Alta Leonie was a 6-win mare from limited starts and also counts the impressive 13-time winner Alta Capone (The Big Dog) among her siblings. There looks to be a bright future ahead of Cocktails And Caviar.

Cocktails And Caviar secures a premier meeting win at Addington  

By Harnesslink Media