The River Boy gets free win

The River Boy (Creatine) came south with harness racing junior driver Sam Thornley on a mission to get a free win on a junior driver concession.

After running second at Invercargill two weeks ago the five year old went one better today, impressively winning the Baynes Family Handicap Trot at Gore.

“He’s improved from his last start run which is pretty good,” Thornley said.

He took the reins for his boss Ken Barron and after the early rush for positions Thornley took The River Boy to the top with two laps to run.

“I thought he needed to be put in the race because he was one of the better one’s in the field.”

When Matthew Williamson made a lightning move with Our Pinocchio, Thornley was happy to hand up. At the 300 Our Pinocchio was under a hard drive and Thornley didn’t wait for the passing lane, easing his charge to the outside. At the line The River Boy had a length to spare on a late charging Abadabado with Our Pinocchio three quarters of a length back in third.

THE RIVER BOY REPLAY

The win today took Thornley to 41 in the Junior Drivers Championship, three clear of Carter Dalgety.

“There’s still another five months to go so a lot can happen in that time,” he said in regard to the Premiership race.

The win was The River Boy’s fourth in twenty starts. He’s also chalked up ten minor placings.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink