Oamaru reinsman Brad Williamson scored the richest win of his driving career by steering Majestic Man to a tough victory in last night's 2yr-old Sires Stakes trotting final at Addington.
The Phil Williamson-trained juvenile prevailed despite having to race three wide and parked from his second-row draw.
Majestic Man's win not only made him a group 2 winner, but his cheque for winning the $52,200 final took him to the top of the qualifying rankings for the 2yr-old trotters Harness Jewels final.
Spanish Armada won the feature race, the New Zealand Oaks, with an emphatic national record-breaking performance. The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained filly registered a time of 3.09.1 for the 2600m mobile, which took 1.8sec off De Lovely's record set in 2010.
The hot tempo played perfectly into Rasmussen's plans.
``We always had the intention to make it a staying test,'' Rasmussen said in her post-race interview.
``She did all the work and just proved too tough.''
Runner-up Bonnie Joan tried to match motors with Spanish Armada as they pulled away from their rivals, but winner had the race under control early in the run home.
The Purdon and Rasmussen-trained Spankem did the same in winning the 2yr-old Sires Stakes Final for male pacers. With Purdon in the sulky, Spankem received a perfect one-one sit after racing outside the leader early.
The third placegetter, The Devils Own, ducked in sharply in the home straight, effectively ending the place chances of second and third-favourites Alta Maestro and Aloka, but there was no inquiry.
Enghien carried on his all-conquering season with a close win in the listed 3yr-old trotters Sale Series Final.
The 2yr-old fillies Sales Series pacing final was won by the Nigel McGrath-trained Dizzy Miss Lizzy, who got up late to claim New York Rain and Bettor Joy.
- By Jonny Turner
UPDATES
Additional information for meetings tomorrow:
M2 Waikato RC
Riders
Race 9: Flanders - Alyssa Schwerin (a2.5)
Race 10: Keep On Coming - Alysha Collett
Scratchings
Race 2: Crackthegoodstuff
Race 4: Trojan Warrior, Biggin Hill
Race 7: Meeska Mooska
Race 8: Flanders
Race 9: Mongolian Sky
Race 10: Travimyfriend
Weather, fine; track, dead6; rail out 8m
M4 Rangitikei Rc
Scratchings
Race 1: Balham
Race 5: Myrtle
Race 8: I'llav Bubbles
Weather, overcast; track, heavy10; rail out 3m
Invercargill HRC
Scratchings
Race 1: Spur Me On Gently
Race 2: Mason Buoy, Lady's Lass
Race 9: Lynette The Vet
