Switched On

Diminutive trotter Switch On (Bacardi Lindy) wasn’t expected to win at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting today but he did it thanks to a canny drive from Matthew Williamson.

“We didn’t know how he would go today,” said Art Shirley who races the four year old with Gary Bartlett, Andrew Nicol, Barry Croft and Phil Rodgers.

SWITCH ON REPLAY

Switch On began brilliantly for his ten metre handicap and was taken to the lead by Williamson. With a lap to run Galleons Grandson and Blair Orange came-a-looking and Williamson handed up, taking the trail. Jaccka Baylis got to the front turning in, but Williamson brought Switch On down the middle of the track to win easily by a length and a half from the favourite Simone Lindenny which stormed home late.

“Matty was over the moon. He said he went real good.”

Switch On was bred by Alan Clarke and his pedigree includes handy totter Count Isa (Count Bay) which won twelve races and was placed twice in the National Trot.

“I buy them off Clarkie all the time. The boys wanted one and we got a cheapy. We paid $6,000 for him.”

Switch On commenced his career with Clark before shifting to Brent McIntyres. He went on to Kirstin Green before heading to today’s trainer Amber Hoffman, at Waikouaiti Beach.

“The beach has suited him down to the ground.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink

For complete race results, click here