The rise of Teddy Baker (Somebeachsomewhere) went to the next level today (Nov. 11) when he won the Macca Lodge ‘South of the Waitaki’ Mobile Pace at harness racing headquarters Addington Raceway.
Driven by Rory McIIwrick the three year old worked his way to the top and held on to beat a late charging Joes Rock (Racing Hill) by a neck.
“I let him slide at the 600 after we got a few good sectionals through the middle stages. I wanted to see who had enough air in their lungs at the finish and he was the one,” McIIwrick said.
Some were questioning Teddy Baker to run out the longer distance, but trainer Tyler Dewe was confident he’d handle todays’ 2600 metre journey.
“When I first got him, I didn’t think he could. But his best performance before this race was 2400 metres at Winton. Over a mile he nearly got outsprinted at Wyndham because he doesn’t possess a whole lot of speed so the 2600 wasn’t going to be a problem but the wind out there today was a concern,” he said.
TEDDY BAKER REPLAY
The win was the fourth for the three year old who was bought as a non-win seventeen start maiden by Charlotte Williamson, wife of driver Matty Williamson. Charlotte was on course today to see the win.
“I found the horse but couldn’t find the money. I was lucky enough that she bought him and it’s paying a dividend,” Dewe said.
The Ascot Park trainer was also quick to credit McIIwrick for a masterful drive.
“I’ve got to give all the credit to Rory because he’s driven the horse more that I have. He was able to break them down the back and that was the winning of the race.”
Drivers have had problems in the past with difficulty at the start but in today’s race Teddy Baker appeared to have put that behind him.
“Today he paraded at the start in the circle which was the first time he’s done that for us. He was in the zone,” Dewe said, while McIIwrick added, “Today he was beautifully quiet. I don’t know what’s happened but maybe it’s the trip away,” he said.
Today’s run was also a very good training fete for Dewe. Teddy Baker was racing fresh after a month away from the races and he hasn’t been cited at trials or workouts.
“This race was the goal. On his work last Saturday, we knew he was in the zone. It was my first runner at Addington on Show Day, and it couldn’t have gone any better. If he comes through the race there’s a three year old race for him here, and he’s an outside chance to run in the Derby.”
For complete race results, click here.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink