Former Southland farmers-turned-harness-racing-enthusiasts Ian and Lindsay Thomson scored their biggest win as owners when Kilowatt Kid won at Ascot Park on Saturday.
Their trainer, Alister Black, produced the 3yr-old who was a determined winner of a $20,000 graduation final on Northern Southland Cup Day.
The Thomsons are approaching 10 years in a successful partnership with Black.
The brothers took the bold step of setting up a harness racing stable nearly a decade ago after selling their Morton Mains farm.
With Black at the helm, the stable has produced a big line-up of winners now headed by Kilowatt Kid.
The home-town victory was a popular one as so many of Southland's feature races are claimed by raiding Canterbury visitors.
There was a Canterbury factor, though, as the Southland-trained and Otago-bred product of Tuapeka Lodge was aided by a well-timed drive by Blair Orange.
The favourite, The Bus, was left with few excuses after Kilowatt Kid wore him down on a comfortable 2.44.6 tempo for the 2200m.
Orange worked Kilowatt Kid into the race three wide without cover from the 700m.
The horse put in a couple of scratchy strides after entering the straight but after he balanced up, Kilowatt Kid let down with a determined finish.
The victory at 15-1 odds may have come as a surprise to punters, but it was no shock to Black.
Kilowatt Kid had produced brilliant work leading into the race after returning to training following a 10-day break.
Kilowatt Kid will try to partly emulate the deeds of his older half-sister, Bonnie Joan, later this season. Last year she won the Southland Oaks for 3yr-old fillies on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park.
Kilowatt Kid's next main aim with be the Southern Supremacy Stakes for 3yr-old male pacers on Diamonds Day this year.
Orange claimed a second big-race victory at Invercargill on Saturday when Destiny Jones won the group 3 Southern Lights Trot.
Orange gave the squaregaiter a perfect run in the one-one before launching her for her winning run on the home bend.
The favourite, Harriet Of Mot, could not match her rival's speed in the straight and ran second, ahead of a fast-finishing Jen Jaccka.
