Racing: Hudson Sully's win Bishop's most exciting

Rebecca Heads (14), the daughter of Gore trainer Billy Heads, with Sundons Invasion (left) and De...
Rebecca Heads (14), the daughter of Gore trainer Billy Heads, with Sundons Invasion (left) and De Vito at Forbury Park last night. Photo by Matt Smith.
Tomahawk trainer Nora Bishop is starting to make a habit of winning at Forbury Park.

Just eight days after Billy Klondike's win, Bishop was back in the winner's circle last night - this time with a horse she has known for five years.

Bishop first encountered Hudson Sully when she was working for trainer Bruce Negus, and they had already combined forces for Bishop's first training win at Timaru in October.

But this time, Hudson Sully's sprint was timed to perfection by driver Katie Cox to win the $10,000 sprint series final.

Bishop was exuberant after the veteran pacer finished over the top of his rivals after a breakneck speed early in the race set it up for those horses back in the field.

''This is my most exciting win yet,'' Bishop said.

Bishop had almost pulled off an upset in the December sprint series with Alexy, but always thought Hudson Sully was better suited to the 1200m distance.

However, that plan almost came unstuck when Hudson Sully broke on the first bend last week, before a shortage of nominations for the final gave the 7yr-old a start.

''I thought `sweet as' and I'll give him another chance,'' she said.

''I put some blinds on to make sure he would be determined to win. He's a lovely wee horse and I'm absolutely stoked with him. He's going to have a deserved break now.''

While Bishop was recording her third career victory, Gore trainer Billy Heads brought up 100 career training wins with a flourish with Sundons Invasion and De Vito.

The pair ran the quinella in the c0 trot, which was appropriate, as 62 of Heads' victories have come through trotters.

His best season came in 2009-10, when Heads produced 17 wins, including quartets to Heyzeal and Star Friendship and three wins to King Galleon.

Forbury Park president Gerald Cayford and Heads bought the 6yr-old from Wyndham trainer Gary McEwan, and Cayford offered a share to Forbury Park track manager Ken McFarlane, who organised a 12-strong syndicate from fellow patrons at Heffs Hotel in South Dunedin and his daughter, Petrina.

A small whip flourish after the line was enough to suggest Rory McIlwrick was pleased with Booster's effort last night.

Williamson and McIlwrick had targeted last night's race as Booster was eligible for a Harness Plus bonus if he won.

The victory means McIlwrick, as owner, gets a $3000 bonus.

Mosgiel trainer Martin Denton paid tribute to the former Forbury Park president and life member Fergus Mathieson in the best possible way with Och Aye The Noo's win in the c1-c3 2700m trot named after the late Mathieson.

''Ferg was a great guy and I was pleased to have known him,'' Denton said.

''He was a great harness racing man and a great president for Forbury so it's an absolute thrill.''

Och Aye The Noo is in career-best form, and looked in control last night until she rolled off at the final bend.

However, driver Jonny Cox straightened up the mare to win by a length over Kylie Castleton.

Denton will now seek another win before he sends the 5yr-old mare for a spell.

Two horses - including the winner - were claimed following the second heat of the claimers series.

The winner Machie Mach was claimed for $7500 by Robert Wilson, of Balfour, and Northview Major was claimed for $7500 by Rakaia trainer and amateur driver Jim Reardon.

Additional information for meetings today.-M2 Auckland RCScratchingsRace 2: Hysteria LaneWeather, fine; track, heavy11; rail, trueM4 Wanganui JCScratchingsRace 7: OutoftimeWeather, fine; track, slow8; rail, true

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