Pearson’s four ready to resume

Winton trainer Lauren Pearson will get an idea on Friday after the Winton Workouts as to where four of her tighter assessed pacers will be headed.

Duke Of Wellington, Governor’s Bay, Thisismylastflight and Zealand Star will start the serious part of their season during the next fortnight. Pearson will then map out where they'll race subsequently.

Duke Of Wellington was Southland’s Horse of the Year last season winning five of his ten starts including his last four in a row. The season finished for the American Ideal gelding at Invercargill on Diamonds Day when he won the Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes after which he was spelled.

“We’ll give him a couple of workouts to see how he’s coming up. We haven’t made any plans for him and Merv (owner Merv Batterworth) doesn’t know what he’s doing with him yet. He feels well in himself and I reckon he’s got taller. I used to be able to reach over and put the cart on. Now I can’t,” said Pearson.

Once the four year old's had a couple of workout runs Pearson will get serious about where Duke Of Wellington will start his four year old season.

“We’ve had a rough look (at the programmes) and maybe the second day at Wyndham, but he’ll be off a handicap. We had a look at the Junior Free For All but that was too tough first up.”

Governor’s Bay, a recent addition to the stable is also progressing nicely in the new campaign.

He was owned by Peter and Anne Bagrie and former Southlanders George Bennett and Paula Holmes before he was purchased out of Tom Bagrie’s stable in March by Butterworth.

He had one start at Winton for Brett Gray’s stable in April running seventh before heading out for a spell. His current rating is R54.

Another Butterworth owned pacer now with Pearson, Zealand Star, won three races last season including a Nuggets Final at Winton in February.

“They’re on the same path as Duke Of Wellington. We’ll see how they come through their workouts and try and find a race for them if they’re still here. Governor’s Bay is a 54 (rating horse) so he’ll be easy to place. Zealand Star is a 66 so he’ll be a little bit harder (to place).”

Pearson is now also training Thisismylastflight, the winner of four races. He was previously trained at Steven McRae’s Canterbury stable.

Bruce Stewart