Pembrook's Delight gave her army of Roxburgh supporters plenty of joy after her win in the $10,000 mares feature yesterday - but it hung in the balance after the race.
Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight had the mare just right on the day, beating Flyover by 1 lengths in a time of 2.41.8, but then had to survive an inquiry after a protest was filed by the stipendiary stewards, on behalf of the connections of Flyover.
However, Pembrook's Delight held her first placing after it could not be proved conclusively that driver Matthew Williamson had pushed out illegally in front of Flyover at the 1700m mark.
The win rates highly for the Knights, who prepare the mare for Bill and Pauline Bain, of Roxburgh, and Judy Campbell, of Earnscleugh Station, and the emotion in Geoff Knight's voice after the race was evident.
''We heard a few stories about how the tactical race was going to go and, being on your home track, everyone wants to beat her,'' Knight said.
''Apart from the Jewels, that's probably more special.''
Williamson's decision to move before Flyover was the winning of the race, as he got the lead and was able to control the tempo, even once Flyover followed around to sit parked.
''He's a terrific driver,'' Knight said.
Bill Bain is also the president of the Roxburgh Trotting Club, and has been involved for 15 years ever since he went to help out in a working bee. He was a proud man on two fronts - as an owner and as the president.
''She's Roxburgh's horse- a lot of people came today just to see her, and that's why we were keen to have this race for mares.''
Bain would eventually like to have a mares' free-for-all on the Roxburgh programme every year.
''I think we've got to encourage mares' racing,' Bain said.
Bain has experience of the inquiry room at Roxburgh. He and the other owners of Onedin Dancer were successful at the 2007 meeting, when she was promoted from third to first after a passing lane infringement from Letsgo Jaccka and Nature Franco.
Roxburgh trainers had more success when Bill Keeler trained Kaylea Bolter to win a 2200m maiden in 2.44.4, scooting clear to win by 3 lengths.
The 3yr-old is the second product of American sire Klondike Kid to win in New Zealand after Lilly Jones won at Winton last February.
Additional information for meetings today.-
Thames
Riders
Race 3: Lilique - C Lammas.
Race 9: La Pinnicle - S Shirahama (2).
Scratchings
Race 3: Keep Reiming.
Race 8: Gold Rock.
Woodville-Pahiatua
Scratchings
Race 1: Pescatore, Dancing Sappphire.
Race 7: Polly Flinders.
Greymouth
Riders
Race 1: Red Leader - C Barnes (3); Istatadlate - L McGregor.
Race 2: Steel Battle - P Tayor.
Race 5: Asworthy - C Barnes (3); Livana - C Johnson.
Race 7: Homeland- C Barnes (3).
Race 9: Captain Bro - C Barnes (3).
Scratchings
Race 1: Boss Jones, Sonny Ben.
Race 4: Edenbrae.
Race 7: Spurs Are Off.
