Racing: Devine Sign keeps family to fore

Driver Ricky May steers home 2yr-old McArdle colt Strike On Command in the opening race at...
Driver Ricky May steers home 2yr-old McArdle colt Strike On Command in the opening race at Forbury Park last night. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Devine Sign is continuing the fine form of her brothers and sisters as she carves out an impressive record at Forbury Park.

The Life Sign mare is the ninth foal out of Holmes Hanover mare Devine Bromac, who has done a tremendous job for Balfour breeders Robert and Eleanor Wilson.

Robert was on course at Forbury Park last night to watch the 4yr-old mare record her third win from four starts - although he admits the Billy Heads-trained mare has offered more than he thought she might have.

''She's been huge - she's been a bit of a surprise really,'' Wilson said.

''She had a full brother [Lucky Rob] and he was only average. This one is stepping up big time.''

All eight of Devine Bromac's foals prior to Devine Sign have raced and won, with cup-class pacer Chilli the best of the crop, placing in the 2008 4yr-old Emerald division of the Harness Jewels behind Changeover and Gotta Go Cullen.

The next foal is a 3yr-old Gotta Go Cullect filly, and Wilson likes the look of her too.

''We haven't done much with it, but I think she's got the goods.''

Devine Sign's effortless two-length win continues a fine season for the Wilsons, who are also in the ownership of 4yr-old trotting mare Whitney, who has won four of her 23 starts this season.

''She's been a great horse for us this year too. We've having a bit of luck for a change.''

Heads was a notable absentee from the track last night as he is on holiday in the United States, although he was still mapping out the mare's plans from afar.

''He rang me on Sunday and said `I think we better go back to Forbury again'. I said `why not?'''I dare say he'll be watching it somewhere in New York.''

Jonny Turner is another one with the United States in his sights, and he had a new idea after Hi Gun was victorious in a quickly-run winter claimers series final.

The 9yr-old son of Washington VC punched through on the inside in the straight to beat Here's Shifty by an ever-increasing 3 lengths as he paced the 2200m in 2.44.07.

Turner, who races the gelding with his father, John, is heading Stateside next month including a visit to America's fastest and most famous harness track.

''I'm off to the Meadowlands next month. I might have to take [Hi Gun] with me at this rate.''

Bedtime lived up to her favouritism tag with her sixth win in seven starts when pacing away with the 2-7 win Southern Golden Girls final.

Driver Dexter Dunn, filling in for injured trainer-driver Andrew Armour, worked the Artsplace mare to the lead shortly after the start of the 1700m and from there, she was never headed, beating Shezaball by 1 lengths in 2.06.9.

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