Itoje wins but trainer not happy

Hot favourite Itoje (Betterthancheddar) may have won but Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson isn’t happy with where the five year old is at.

“He went terrible I thought. We’ll do every test we can and find out what’s wrong with him. At home his work’s been good. He got the free win so that was good,” trainer Nathan Williamson said.

The gelding was perfectly driven by junior driver Ollie Kite who positioned the favourite in the one one and with that sort of run he should have put his rivals to the sword. Instead, he grafted out a three quarter of a length win over Magic Sign (Terror To Love).

Meanwhile Burnham trainer Mark Jones won two races on today’s card. Two year old trotting filly Paramount Lady (Tactical Landing) was on her best behaviour when she led, stayed out of trouble and won by five and three quarter lengths. Paramount Faith is a half-sister to Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill).

Jones second winner Kowhai Sunset (Creatine) came three races later. He too led all the way and went down to the line to win by two and three quarter lengths from favourite Bill Bootit (Majestic Son).

Two Southern drivers Mark Hurrell and Rory McIIwrick are in a good battle to be the first to reach two hundred career winners. Both drove winners today – McIIwrick on the Tyler Dewe trained Oh No Nana (Auckland Reactor).

Hurrell drove the Syd Breen trained American Mac (American Ideal) and the Ross and Chris Wilson trained Robyns Hustler (Shadow Play). Both McIIwrick and Hurrell are currently sitting on 197.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink