Trainer in float park while filly upsets in Oaks

Canterbury harness racing trainer Brad Mowbray got so nervous before the $60,000 Group Two Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southern Oaks Final at Ascot Park today that he couldn’t  watch as his filly Delightful Peg (Bettor’s Delight) dented some reputations.

“I heard bits of the commentary and I was quite liking what I was hearing. I’m not a great watcher when my own ones are racing. When you are in races like this and you think you’re a chance you just get that little bit extra nervous,” Mowbray who was hurried back to the birdcage for the presentation said.

After leading from barrier one driver Matty Williamson handed up to one of the more favoured runners, Utah Jazz.

Once the passing lane came into play Williamson got Delightful Peg cranked up and she went down to the line to beat Elektra King by three quarters of a length with favourite Captains Mistress a half a head back in third.

“Matty drove an outstanding race as he always does and everything went our way. We knew our horse was good enough, but we just needed things to go right and for her to behave herself. The last two times she’s been in the passing lane she’s galloped. Things like that keep you on your seat right to the end.”

DELIGHTFUL PEG REPLAY

The winning time of 2-38.6 was a new race, track and Southland record, erasing Royal Counsel’s 2-39.4.

Mowbray who was born in Invercargill, said winning in his hometown is special.

“To come back here and win a nice race like that is really good. We didn’t expect to win but we didn’t think we were a $38 chance.”

Delightful Peg is out of Elite Medley and is raced by Mowbray, his wife Mel and her mother Jenny Knight.

She was bought for $20,000 at the yearling sales and is out of the family that the late Peter Marshall raced successfully with the Barron family in Southland.

“We’ve liked her from the start. Matty actually broke her in and gave her a good rap at the start. If her manners keep improving there’s no reason she can’t improve a bit more. She’ll go out for a month or two and get ready for the races in spring.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink