Staff win one at Motukarara

Spreydon Lodge has won a lot  of races over the years but not many would have been as well received by the staff at the famous stable as the win today by The Stag's Roar at the harness racing meeting at Motukarara.

Bred by the estate of the founder of Spreydon Lodge in Wayne Francis, The Stag's Roar is raced by the staff at the now West Melton based training establishment and has been threatening to win a race for most of the season.

Drawn out at barrier nine today, driver Craig Thornley let the daughter of Falcon Seelster find her feet early and then took her straight to the inner.

After getting a charmed run up on the inner, Craig was able to move to three back in the running line at the 1400 metres mark.

Still there half way up the Motukarara straight, Craig angled The Stag's Roar into the clear at the 300 metres mark and she flew late to grab a game Mighty Empire right on the line.

Craig took some of the blame for The Stag's Roar still being a maiden before today.

" She has had a run of bad draws that have hampered her this season but the main reason she hasn't won one before now is for a few starts there I was driving her upside down."

"I have been driving her like the best horse in the race but if you use her like that she doesn't finish it off."

"You need to hold her up and just have one run at them," Craig said

Craig didn't downplay the bad run of draws that she had copped either.

" She drew nine again today but to get up on the inner and then get out to be three back in the running line made all the difference today."

" Give her that kind of run and she can really fly the last bit," Craig said.

Spreydon Lodge moved to its new location at West Melton a few months back. 

Formerly operating as Premier Stables under the guidance of Tim Butt, the Spreydon Lodge team has taken a while to settle into their new surroundings but todays win and a string of nice trialists lately around Canterbury would suggest that the team is starting to hit their straps.

Harnesslink Media