Overgrown gelding upsets for Simpson

Ideal Dance’s harness racing win today was aided by the hot favourite Bollinger breaking with a lap to run. However his trainer Darryn Simpson and driver Matty Williamson both have a good opinion of the three-year-old, and were expecting a good showing at Cromwell.

“He’s a wee bit overgrown. But he’s getting stronger all the time and his gait is getting better, but he has got a motor,” Simpson said.

Ideal Dance warming up

From barrier one Williamson took the son of A Rocknroll Dance straight to the front.

“In front out of trouble, was a nice place to be today but he is a bit better coming off the pace.”

At the finish Ideal Dance was too strong, winning by three- and three-quarter lengths with Paradise Valley running second.

“He hasn’t done a lot, just three trials including his qualifier and today was only his second start.”

Ideal Dance winning easily

Winning connections

The three-year-old is out of Western Ideal mare Nicky’s Ideal which is owned by Gary Clarke who bred and owns Ideal Dance.

“We bought her off Paul Renwick in foal with Life Of Art who won two for me last year.”

Simpson and Clarke have formed a successful racing partnership in the last few years. Clarke is a retired engineer who’s also into property development.

“It’s been a good relationship. He’s helped me out and in the last couple of seasons we’ve been selling quite a few. We like to move a few on and keep a happy medium really.”

After training in Mosgiel, Simpson has just recently moved to Oamaru where he trains on a full-time basis.

“It’s hard being away from home and the family but it’s good. Matty and Charlotte (Williamson) have been good to me and make it easy for me when things get hard.”

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by Bruce Stewart