A hint of what might be to come with Statham was on show in the South Of The Waitaki Pace at Addington yesterday.
His Ryal Bush trainer/driver, Nathan Williamson, knew the 4yr-old was some way short of his best leading in to the race for horses trained south of the Waitaki River, but punters were confident enough to install him as favourite.
The main concern for Williamson was just how fit the gelding was after having to deal with being slightly off-colour.
Williamson tested out the big son of Bettor's Delight by sending him forward to lead with 1600m to go, and the litmus test came on the home turn.
''I was confident turning in - he was kicking up OK, but I knew probably the fitness would run out, but he was still quite strong to the line,'' Williamson.
The numbers for the race were slightly light - only nine starters scored up behind the mobile - but Williamson was determined to get Statham to the race after a second at Rangiora last week.
''He had been set for this one - he was meant to win last week and come here and win again,'' he said.
''But he just came up short the other day so it was good to come away with something for the trip.
''He'll have a break now when he goes home just for a bit. I'm not entirely happy with him and his conditioning and everything. He'll come back for Christmas racing and country cups.''
Wanna Play is likely to be at the other end of the country over Christmas after impressing Bruce Negus in a mobile 1950m trot yesterday.
''She will probably go to Auckland now because she's good enough at that level,'' Negus said.
Wanna Play also restores an association for Negus with leviathan owner Trevor Casey.
''When I went down south, Trev didn't want his horses racing where he couldn't see them.
''So the opportunity came along and he sent me a couple when I got up here. They weren't there for long, but this one has come along and she's really nice.''
