Who could have guessed the 2011 Christchurch earthquake would be the catalyst for Justine McMeeking and Kurt McNamara becoming winning owners with Itz Risky Business at Forbury Park last night?Not the pair themselves, for starters.
McMeeking and McNamara were forced to leave their Redcliffs home after the February 22 earthquake due to damage, and they stayed with McMeeking's parents, Robert and Norma, at Kirwee for a couple of months.
A few discussions over drinks led to McMeeking and McNamara deciding to have a crack at breeding from the McMeekings' Courage Under Fire mare Itz All About Me, who produced this season's Franklin Cup winner, Itz Bettor To Win.
"And now we're hooked,'' McMeeking said.
The couple came to Forbury Park last week to watch the 3yr-old who finished third, and decided to return again this week.
They were duly rewarded with a smart front-running drive by Samantha Ottley, who moved to 198 career wins with the victory.
Stu and Liz Leadley travelled almost as far as McMeeking and McNamara, heading south from Ashburton to watch Dream To Reality win on debut with a tough effort sitting parked.
The Leadleys are no strangers to winning, having success with Wesley Silcox (eight wins), Alta Las Vegas (three wins) and the very promising Franco Cristiano - all from the Robert Dunn stable.
Stu Leadley said Dunn's son, John - who drove the 2yr-old - picked out the son of Bettor's Delight at last year's yearling sales and suggested the Leadleys should get involved.
Gore trainer John Ryan's golden winter run with Golden Gate continued last night, but the mare had to show plenty to get the win.
Starting off 30m, driver Nathan Williamson had to deal with a muddling tempo, then ended up having to head to the front for the last section of the race which is against the 8yr-old's usual racing pattern.
"She's a lovely mare and did a bit of work tonight but found the line,'' Williamson said.
"I was following Ruby's Jewel and I thought she would give me a good drag into it, but they all came off the fence and I had to go four or five back on the outer.''
The win gave Williamson his 93rd win for the season, after just missing out the race prior when Better Go Hurry nabbed Pat Campbell right on the line.
Tomahawk trainer Nora Bishop capped off a good night when her old campaigner, Hudson Sully, rediscovered his sprint to win the last race.
Bishop's runner Rockefeller put in a good run for fourth in race 3 and Mordecai was third in race 5 before Hudson Sully hauled in his rivals in the final event.
"Everyone has been a bit unlucky lately, especially Hudson Sully last week,'' Bishop said.
"They've all just been due a bit of a turn. He's got a really big heart and he tries his hardest every time. I'm absolutely rapt with him.''
