The Big Lebowski wins Riverton Cup

Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray wasn’t sure if The Big Lebowski (Mach Three) would handle todays dead track at Riverton and as he rolled to the front, he wasn’t sure whether that would suit him either.

However he needn’t have worried because under an inch perfect drive from Kirstin Green, the giant pacer won the Carriers Arms Hotel Riverton Cup by a nose.

After Hacksaw Ridge, Still Rockin and Wag Star all had turns in front, with just over a lap to run Green who Gray dubbed the ‘Cups Queen,’ took The Big Lebowski to the front.

As they turned for the run home The Big Lebowski had a narrow lead. But Wag Star had the drop on him and started to run home strongly up the passing lane.  Wag Star hit the lead halfway down the straight but under a hard drive from Green the Gray trained runner got up to win by a nose.

“I thought the wet track might have taken a bit of speed out of him but no, he stayed,” Gray said.

THE BIG LEBOWSKI REPLAY

The win was Green’s fifth in the Riverton feature. She won with Wingandaprayer in 2005, Paddyproudfoot 2019, U May Cullect 2020 and Bobbies Rock in 2025.

The Big Lebowski started his racing career with Knapdale trainer Robin Swain who bred him. Swain won five races with him before he was transferred to Ray Green’s stable at Pukekohe. He won a further two races for Green including the 2024 G3 TAB Junior Free For All which was his last win before today’s victory.

“He was finding it a little bit tough in Auckland. He came down here to trot because he’s got trotting blood in him but that didn’t quite work out. We clicked him back into pacing and after having a few niggles he’s really appreciating these grass tracks.”

Today was his first win for Gray and his loyal stable clients Merv and Meg Butterworth.

“He’s done a good job and can do it on his day. You just have to keep him happy. We give him a lot of variation. Johnny Bennet drives him a little bit but we share him around just to keep him guessing.”

The Waikouaiti Pacers Cup on the grass at Oamaru is the next target for the nine year old.

Meanwhile the Phil Williamson trained Practical Magic (Majestic Son) took out the Todd & Co Realty Riverton Trotters Cup.

Driver Matty Williamson made the most of his front line draw and led all the way, to beat Domination’s Call by a length and a quarter.

PRACTICAL MAGIC REPLAY

“She really thrives on the soft. She seems to trot a bit better. She won that mares race at Methven on a wet grass track so that definitely helped. She tries really hard and she’s a good stayer, so she was loving it today,” Matty said.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink