Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray could not be happier with the current form of The Big Lebowski.
The Mach Three 9-year-old gelding produced his second win in seven days by completing a Riverton and Waikouaiti Cup double.
Starting from a 40m handicap in Sunday’s Waikouaiti Cup for pacers over 3000m with driver Blair Orange, the duo made a clean beginning and settled at the rear.
Orange made a move at the 1950m to eventually take the lead at the 1400m. From there, they were in control and cleared away to win stylishly by two and three-quarter lengths with slick final fractions of 58sec and 28.9sec.
"He (Blair Orange) does what he does and it worked out perfectly," Gray said. "It was a good half and-quarter on the grass and especially after going 3000m. He seems to be loving the grass."
The recent pair of wins for The Big Lebowski are his first since winning the Junior Free For All at Addington on Cup day back in 2024 when trained by Ray Green with Orange driving.
The Waikouaiti Cup win takes his career earnings over $150,000, while banking his 10th win from 48 starts.
"He’s got a couple more Country Cup race options," Gray said.
‘‘We will see how he comes through the next couple of days and go either to the Wairio Cup (February 8) or Gore Cup (February 15) — but definitely the Northern Southland Cup (March 1)."
Gray has started the new season with a bang, winning eight races already with a UDR of .3423.
"We’ve started the season off not bad, so hopefully we keep going in the right direction."
The Big Lebowski gave Orange a double on the programme after winning with Sheza Trendy One for trainer Noel Taylor.
In the Waikouaiti Trotters Cup over 3000m, Practical Magic for trainer Phil Williamson and driver Matthew Williamson dominated the race, leading for the majority of the way, winning by three-quarters of a length from Domination’s Call.
Racey Krusa continued his new-found form by winning the O’Connell Family/Murphy Family Waikouaiti Handicap Trot, making it four wins in a row for trainer Amber Hoffman.
The 9-year-old Peak gelding will be freshened up and likely target the Cromwell meetings at the end of this month. — HRNZ
By Mike Love
