Impressive win by Fast Whispering

Mataura harness racing trainer Lyndon Bond is gaining a reputation for being able to of get a bit more out of trotters that have been struggling, or have issues with their manners.

There’s no better example than Fast Whispering which has been with Bond since Christmas, and won impressively today at the Gore Grass meeting.

Fast Whispering winning for Sarah O’Reilly

“After we went to Christchurch Noel Taylor (Timaru owner and former trainer) rang me and asked me if I would pick her up and take her home and she’s done a lovely job,” Bond said.

Taylor qualified the Superfast Stuart mare in May 2019, and she won at Methven in October 2020 in the hands of Matty Williamson.

“She’d been missing the starts and whacking away. Matty said she’d be worth a try and said she’d do a good job, and she has.”

Since being housed at Mataura the seven year old has run three fourths, three thirds and a second, from eight starts.

“I think she’s improving all the time and the grass suited her today because her only win was on the grass.”

Driver Sarah O’Reilly gave Fast Whispering a dream trip slotting in behind pacemaker Foreigner.

When the two turned out of the final bend O’Reilly took the seven year old mare down centre track and she won by two and a quarter lengths from Foreigner with a further two lengths back to late charging Afterburner.

“Today being penalty free with Sarah driving her she doesn’t move up a grade, so she’ll have another crack at the cherry.”

Back to the winners circle

Thumbs up from Lyndon Bond

Bond who had a stellar season last year has continued his strong vein of form.

“I’m getting better quality stock and using the big Wyndham tracks which has been great.”

Meanwhile Mark and Pauline O’Connor’s good week continued when Micaitlen Denario won her qualifying trial at Invercargill on Friday.

At last week’s Christchurch Sales they sold an Always B Miki colt out of Shezaball for $100,000 and the way his half sister by Captaintreacherous won for trainer driver Nathan Williamson indicates plenty of potential.

The Black Flash continued on his winning way when he won his two year old trials for colts and geldings. The Bettor’s Delight colt owned by Neville Cleaver easily got his qualifying ticket. He’s Never Been Beta from the Kirk Larsen team ran second.

Another son of Always B Miki, Always B There, trained by Jeremy Douglas and driven by Craig Ferguson beat stablemate Macandrew Navigator.

Hey Miki Denario continued the good run for the O’Connor’s when she won her workout for trainer Brett Gray and driver Brett Barclay. She’s also by Always B Miki out of Wantapieceofme.

Wai Key Wee who has been off the scene for nearly a year returned to the track to trot all the way and win his workout for trainer driver Alister Black.

Rollon Summer trained by Lauren Pearson easily won her heat in the hands of Brent Barclay. She looks capable on winning first up.

Watchlist beat two other rivals in his workout in the hands of Craig Ferguson.

With a good number of quality three year old colts and geldings starting to show in Southland, most will be aimed at next month’s Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes at the Riverton meeting at Winton.

View the Gore results click here!

by Bruce Stewart