Mowbray double

It was a sweet float trip home for Leeston harness racing trainer Brad Mowbray and his wife Mel after both Oakley Shard (Sweet Lou) and Fourth Amendment (American Ideal) won at the annual Kurow meeting at Oamaru today.

“We’re absolutely stoked,” Mel said.

The double was a welcome change of luck for the Mowbrays after a quiet start to the year and the wins doubled their season tally.

Oakley Shard got the run underway in the Marshall Transport Mobile Pace. Bred by Debbie and Mark Smith of Shard Farm and owned by Brad and Mel with Russell Crossen, the three year old filly won easily by a length and a quarter in the hands of Jonny Cox.

OAKLEY SHARD REPLAY

“She’s been a project, but she’s shown a lot of talent so we’re thrilled with her. She’s been a bit of a wee tart and a free spirit. At her first start she lay down on the track and was her own worst enemy. She had a wee spell and came back and said ‘I’m ready to go.”

Crossen bought the filly at the 2022 sales for $11,000.

The same ownership group also produced Okiwi Bay (Art Major) which ran third in the same race.

The Australian based Crossen has a number of horses with the Mowbrays and has a share in Ruby Lovera (Sweet Lou) which won the G2 Two Year Old Diamond Classic at Gloucester Park in Perth two weeks ago.

In the John Mudie Memorial Mobile Pace, Fourth Amendment got back early from a wide draw before driver Kerryn Tomlinson got a peach of a run on the back of an improving Sweet Spirit. Both horses were forced four wide and on straightening, Tomlinson hooked out to the middle of the track. Once the earplugs were removed the six year old let down nicely to win by three and a half lengths from Wavewatcher who came home late. He paid $13.80 to win.

FOUR AMENDMENT REPLAY

“Kerryn drove him fantastically. We can’t praise her enough. She just sat there and was patient.”

The win was Fourth Amendment’s fifth and second on the Oamaru track.

Brad and Mel have been at Leeston for about four years, having previously trained at Yaldhurst.

“We were very lucky to buy the farm we’re on now with my mother.”

The property was set up by Paul Corkran.

“He put beautiful stables in and we were lucky enough to buy it when it came up. It’s got an American barn and a beautiful track so we’re really lucky.”

Corkran trained millionaire trotter Take A Moment to win his first four races. The big trotter went on to win a further thirty five including a Interdominion Trotting Grand Final and a Rowe Cup.

The Mowbrays are in a rebuilding phase and have got a bit of time for Bettor’s Delight two year old filly Delightful Peg, which ran second at Invercargill earlier this month.

For complete race results, click here

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink