Swain back in winners circle

Makarewa harness racing trainer Earl Swain’s last winner was over six years ago, but he was back in the winner’s circle today when Lorton Vale (Sir Lincoln) cleared maiden ranks at Ascot Park.

“We weren’t expecting it really. I said to Matty (driver Matty Williamson) to make sure he wasn’t parked because I’d parked him in his last two starts and that didn’t help (laughter), Swain said.

The gelding is out of the Changeover mare Flowing Over whose progeny the late Peter Cowan had a lot of success with.

“He was always weak. We didn’t start him at all as a three year old because he wasn’t putting weight on and wasn’t growing.”

Driver Matty Williamson settled Lorton Vale into the one one early with Naledi (He’s Watching) leading. Once the field turned in, the finish was down to favourite Maverick Star (Bettor’s Delight) and Lorton Vale. In the tightest of decisions Lorton Vale got up to win by a nose.

“I was just hoping he’d get second, but he kept on going. I couldn’t believe it. Matty said he was still full of running at the finish.”

LORTON VALE REPLAY

This is the first time Williamson has driven the horse. And Swain said he’d changed the horse’s workload in the last week.

“I knew he needed more work so I hoppled him three times this week because he blew like anything at Winton the other day.”

Swain’s last winner was with Celebrity Easton (Washington VC) at the Wairio meeting in March 2017.

His racing colours may look familiar to some older harness racing readers, as they formerly belonged to successful North Island trainer Max Robinson.

Robinson trained over eighty winners including Sugar Ray Robinson (9 wins) and Greg Robinson (15).

“Mrs Robinson rang up one day and said that my brother Brian’s colours looked the same as Max’s and would I like Max’s colours. They weren’t, they were different. Anyway, she sent thirteen sets of colours down. I’ve worn them ever since. They’re great. Easy to see.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink