Solitaire breezes in

Seabreeze Solitaire (Bettor’s Delight) continued on his winning ways at Ascot Park for Wyndham harness racing trainers Gordon and Colin Lee on Saturday (Apr. 29).

The Lees bought her from Canterbury horseman Malcolm Shinn at the end of 2022 and today was the five year old’s third win in ten starts. 

“Gordon talks to Shinny all the time and got this horse. He said she was alright in the right grade,” said Colin Lee adding, “She’s the perfect horse. Good pacer and good to drive. She had an injury on the hind leg which probably cost her a year. Shinney’s more interested in the young horses and the good ones.”

SEABREEZE SOLITAIRE REPLAY

Today Seabreeze Solitaire was handled by junior driver Mark Hurrell.

“This is the first time I’ve driven her. I see her working at Wyndham, but I’ve never driven her. She gave me a nice feel out there today.  I missed away and I was chasing from the get-go but to her credit she dug in deep up the straight and got the job done,” Hurrell said.

The Lees have made good use of the junior drivers concessions with both Hurrell and Sarah O’Reilly winning on Seabreeze Solitaire. She’s also been handled by Brent Barclay.

Over the years Gordon and Colin have raced a few horses developed by Malcolm Shinn, notably Royal Counsel (Gotta Go Cullect) which won the 2014 Southland Oaks in record breaking time.

They have another former Shinn trained horse called Bridget Louise (A Rocknroll Dance). She’s out of the ten win mare Beckinsale (Falcon Seelster) which is closely related to Young Conqueror (Mach Three) the winner of twelve, and Mighty Conqueror (American Ideal) which won twenty one.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink