Colin Lee repeated his habit of winning with horses owned by Neil Timms that have started their harness racing careers later in life.

Timzee, a six-year-old by Net Ten EOM is a further example, Jimmy Nga and Bigandme also being previous late developers.

Timzee warming up for Colin Lee

Lee broke in Timzee as a yearling before injury curtailed further progress and he was turned out for a year.

“He was a lunatic when he was young. You just couldn’t get near his head and couldn’t get a bridle on him. He would just front foot you. Timzee (Neil Timms) and I have had horses for a long time and this horse was the next one, so you just go through the process,” said Colin.

Timzee eventually qualified in November 2020, running second, behind the talented Euro Beat at Winton before the horse went sore.

“He’s always had better than average ability as you saw today. You always look after those ones and not the slow ones (laughter),” said Timms.

Last season he had two workouts and went sore again.

The six-year-old had his first start on his home track at the Forbury Park meeting at the end of January but broke after leaving the gate, finishing twelfth.

“He had the jawbreaker on him at his first start and that’s why he galloped because he fought against me,” Colin said.

But since that run Lee has added earplugs to the gear, and he improved by running second midweek at Winton.

“I still reckon that race didn’t trim him up enough.”

Today the gelding started from barrier seven.

“I thought it would be hard from out there, but he chased the gate a bit. I wasn’t going to pull back anyway.”

After leading early Lee handed up to first starter Sonny Maguire at the 1200 metres.

“I could have held him out, but I know Brad’s horse was the favourite. He sprinted up better today than he did at Winton. With the earplug he’s actually quite dead (switched off) especially when you get going.”

Turning in Lee got Timzee stoked up and he quickened up the passing lane to beat a game Sonny Maguire by a length and a quarter.

Timzee on the inside about to be joined by Sonny Maguire

Close to the finish

Win number 50 for Colin Lee driving Timzee

Back to the birdcage

Timzee heading out to welcome in his namesake

Timzee is out of the Live Or Die mare One Ali and Timms has a three-year-old gelding out of the mare by Raging Bull called Raupunga Lad which is being trained by Brent McIntyre.

“Ben Waldron trained the mare (One Ali), and she was really speedy. I actually gave her away as a riding hack, but they couldn’t ride her, so I got her back and put her in foal,” Neil said.

Although Timms wasn’t keen on naming the horse after him he left it up to Lee with a recommendation that he be named after his children.

“All my kids are called Timzee, and a lot of people will know a Timzee and would have backed him today.”

So, with win one on the board the team will now regroup and look to place the horse for his next assignment.

“It’s not going to be easy, but you’d say he’d win another one,” Colin said.

Meanwhile fresh faced two-year-olds fronted for the first time at the Winton trials on Friday.

Tennessee Whiskey (colt by Net Ten EOM out of Shipshewana Flight), trained by Brent McIntyre won the mobile 1609 metre heat in 2-07.0 beating He’s Never Been Beta (colt by He’s Watching out of Never Been Better) trained by Kirk Larsen. Hooked On Winning (colt by Sweet Lou out of Dancing Dixie) with Clark Barron was a half a length back in third.

Tennessee Whiskey (3) winning his two year old heat

Shadow Play three-year-old Brookies Player (Ross and Chris Wilson) won his qualifying heat in 3-07.1 beating McLean (Brett Gray) by a nose with two and a half lengths back to Sir Lancelot (Hamish Hunter) in third.