Love N the win

Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson made the big call to race Love N The Port (Love You) in the $30,000 Group Three Easifeed Southern Lights Handicap Trot at Ascot Park today (Jan. 19), after the horse returned from Auckland on just Monday.

“Tony’s (Herlihy) driven him in his last three starts in Auckland and he’s been telling me the horse has been going great. We were coming home to have a spell but when he got home on Monday I pulled the cover off him and he looked fantastic. So I thought, why wouldn’t we work him quietly into this race and have one more throw at the stumps.” 

Williamson knew the horse was very well placed in the handicaps.

“To have him running off the front and drawing nice at three, we thought he’d be hard to beat. With One Two Menny (Majestic Son) in the race I was pretty sure the speed would be on. Either one of us was looking at making it a staying test with the way it was set up with Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) at the back. We couldn’t afford to walk round and have them sprint home.”

Love N The Port was either in front or trailing the leader during the 2700 metre handicap feature and proved too good beating Peregrine (Pegasus Spur) by a length and a quarter with Oscar Bonavena three quarters of a length back in third.

LOVE N THE PORT REPLAY

The winning time of 3-25.0 was just outside Pres The Belle’s all comers record of 3-24.0 and One Apollo’s entire and geldings record of 3-24.1.

Owned by Keith Ussher and Sylvia White, Williamson said Love N The Port had talent early in his career but lacked the perfect gait.

“In the early days his gait wasn’t the best because he was probably undeveloped. But as he’s strengthened his gait has improved. Farriers play their part in getting them right and one of the best farriers in New Zealand Dave Smith shod him while he was in Auckland.”

Williamson was also complimentary of the team that made this race win possible, including InterIslander, Majestic Horse Transport and North Island hosts Tony and Suzanne Herlihy.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink