Southern Snippets

Wyndham harness racing driver Ricky Gutsell recorded his first win as a driver at yesterday’s Winton meeting when Still Rockin (A Rocknroll Dance) held out a late challenge from Joes Rock to win by half a length. The win was Gutsell’s twenty fifth as a trainer.

Yaldhurst trainer Regan Todd has confirmed three year old filly Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) will start in Friday’s Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Owned by locals Dave Kennedy and Cleland Murdoch, Friday’s race will the first stand start for the seven win filly.

Todd is also intending to bring two three year old maidens Alibi (Bettor’s Delight) and Share A Dream (Art Major) south.

The win by Hot Saucy Betty (Love You) was significant on two levels. It was Wyndham driver Mark Hurrell’s two hundredth winner and it was the first time a horse has won for Te Anau trainer Wayne McEwan in his late father Ron’s colours.

Mark’s first winner was It Ain’t The Money for Alan McVicar at the Riverton meeting in October 2016.

He’s driven twenty four winners for his current employer Craig Ferguson, twenty three for Syd Breen and twenty one for Amber Hoffman.

Mark came out of his time as a junior halfway through this season. One hundred and eighty three of his two hundred wins was as a junior.

Unbeaten three year old Pinseeker (Downbytheseaside) is also heading south next week and will line up on Invercargill Cup Day.

Trained by Jonny Cox, Pinseeker has won his only two starts at Rangiora and Orari.

Nice three year old Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) will have his next start at the Gore meeting on the 27^th. The three year old hasn’t been cited since running eleventh in the Sophomore Classic at Ashburton in October. He hasn’t been to the workouts or trials but has had some strong private runs at the Winton track for trainer Alister Black.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink