The first-up raid has worked again for Dunedin man Ray Chalklin and Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson.
Chalklin, who experienced great success in the thoroughbred code with Anzac Star (10 wins), turned his hand to owning standardbreds last year and had immediate success with Highview Illusion.
Anderson and Chalklin were at it again at Forbury Park last night with Laughing Cavalier's victory in a c1 2200m mobile pace before teaming up later in the card with Elusive Flight.
Anderson's stablehand and junior driver, Rory McIlwrick, knew the owner of Laughing Cavalier, who had eked out one win and a handful of placings in 30 starts for Ryal Bush trainer Hamish Hunter.
"He got hold of him and brought him up here and we tried him for a while,'' Anderson said.
"I liked him and Ray was interested in having another horse without paying too much money.''
The father and son partnership of Chris and John Morrison are starting to find Forbury Park to their liking.
After winning their first race with father Chris as trainer and son John as driver with Majestic De Fence at Forbury Park three weeks ago, the pair were again posing for a photo after Dreamcoat's tough victory last night.
Morrison junior took more than 130 drives to break his duck at Waikouaiti in early February, although not for lack of talent, but he has now racked up four wins in his career.
Morrison senior, who trains in Ashburton, has three horses - Dreamcoat, Tuscaloosa and Majestic De Fence - in work to help his son with driving opportunities.
Brad Williamson has received similar support from his father, Phil, this season, but his win with Winners Shout last night had a little bit of extra spice to it.
Williamson jun bought the trotter for $14,000 at the 2014 premier yearling sale.
Grant Gray, of Invercargill, joined Williamson in the ownership and the imposing son of Great Success was too tough over 2700m last night to record his second win from six starts.
Williamson appeared to give a small salute before the line, and he was quick to come up with a reason for the "little bit of a fist pump''.‘‘It's a free win as a 3yr-old and it's money in my pocket - you need that on a battling stablehand's wage,'' Williamson quipped.
Williamson and Anderson combined in the junior drivers' race with Elusive Flight, another pacer having his first start for Anderson after being with Steve Allen and Murray Swain previously.
Elusive Flight is now owned by Charlotte Purvis, Tony Gow, Steve Pulley and - that man again - Ray Chalklin.
Poolburn trainer Lionel Sinnamon was back in the winner's circle after a 15-month break when Caesar Rocks swooped out wide to win race 7 in the hands of Brad Williamson, who notched up his third win for the night.
Sinnamon's previous win was with the same horse at Ascot Park in March last year.
Forbury Park trainer Daryl Trainor had others to thank for Be Me's win in the final race last night.
Jonny Cox drove the 6yr-old at Ascot Park on Saturday and told Trainor not to work the pacer during the week.
This week's driver, Kimberly Butt, and Trainor's wife, Anne, also sided with Cox's plan.
"He said ‘do not work this horse','' Trainor said.
"It came out of the paddock today, had a 20-minute jog around here and did that.''
Missy Mach, who finished fourth, was claimed for $7500 by Maureen Simpson, who won the ballot from nine entries.
