Springbank Mason carves out tenth win

It’s been some harness racing journey for Springbank Mason (Majestic Son).

The trotter who won his tenth race at Alexandra Park last night, was bred by North Otago trainer Chris McLeod and he won five races for Phil Williamson.

Initially he was raced by Ray and Denise Smith whose horses carry the ‘Springbank’ prefix. Their best racehorse was Springbank Richard which won twenty races including a Dominion Handicap.

He’s now owned by Hunterville trainer Scott Dickson who bought him in October 2022 and entrusted him to Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett. Dickson’s partner Lidia Pickford who trains gallopers, also has a share in the gelding.

“I think Phil was having troubles with him and they put him on Gavelhouse and Scotty bought him. When he got him up there he didn’t think he was suited to going round Manawatu so sent him up here to race in Auckland,” Michelle said.

In last night’s 2700 metre trot Springbank Mason started from the 40 metre mark but by the time the field had reached the winning post first time round, he’d tacked onto the bunch. Driver Mark Hurrell got a nice drag into the race when stablemate Kings Landing (Muscle Hill) led the one out train up. Just before the point of the turn Hurrell hooked his runner out, coming four wide. Out in the middle of the track Springbank Mason let down nicely to beat Kimkar Dash (Skyvalley) by three quarters of a length.

Last night’s success was the first open win for Hurrell who’s just come out of the junior driver ranks.

“He just lets me know when he wants to come up and we arrange some drives for him. He’s a very good driver.”

Six year old Springbank Mason carries Dickson’s colours. He wears blinds, fixed deafeners and the driver doesn’t carry a whip.

“Early on if you just touched him with the stick he would hop out of it (break), so we thought the best thing was to take the stick away, so you’re not tempted.”

Since being in the north all his starts have been at Alexandra Park with five of his six wins there.

“He’s just a cool old horse, a bit of a dude and easy to work. Hopefully there’s a couple more wins in him.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink