Hurricane Banner provided Gore trainer Shane Matheson and stable helper Jane Orr with a big thrill on Sunday when he easily won the Ryder Plumbing and Roofing Mobile Pace by three and a quarter lengths in the hands of Brad Williamson.
Orr, who is married to Northern Southland trotting identity Noddy Orr, has rekindled her love of horses by helping Matheson out in his stables.
"I had a lovely standardbred when I was a teenager called Patanga Park but it wasn't until I got involved with Noddy that I got involved again," she said.
The five year old by Real Desire started his career with Gavin Smith before stints with Nathan Williamson and Ray Faithful. Matheson has had him since July this year.
"He's paddock trained. He loves the life in Northern Southland and is happy out on the grass. He loves tearing around the paddock after he's done his training."
Hurricane Banner is raced by the Bluff Bowling Club Syndicate which includes Noddy Orr.
Meanwhile young junior driver Chelsea Faithful won her third race as a driver when Maidonthebeach got up to beat Ellnbac by three quarters of a length in the junior drivers race at Ascot Park on Sunday.
"At her first run she needed a bit of a blow out. In her second run she ran on well and at home she's been working better than ever so we were reasonably confident," said Faithful.
Maidonthebeach was positioned nicely by Faithful in the outside running line. At the top of the straight the pair had collared leader Foo Fighter and had to ward off a late challenge from Ellnbac who came up the passing lane.
Maidonthebeach and Chelsea Faithful winning at Riverton on Sunday – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"She was getting a bit woobly with about 70 metres to run. I was hoping she'd keep going and I was hoping I didn't go over the ten (whips). The whole one eye thing (Maidonthebeach only has one eye) probably doesn't help."
Faithful says like her dam Nursemaid, Maidonthebeach is getting better with age.
"She's better this season than she was last season."
The royally bred mare by Somebeachsomewhere is raced by Graham and Jill Cooney, Vin Nally and the Centaurus Syndicate.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing