The 5yr-old Sundon mare is out of a pacing mare, Gemini Jo, who was quick enough to win the 1993 Wairio Cup, but once Gemini Jo was bred to Sundon, Experiment's future was almost certainly in trotting.
The Tony Barron-trained mare has shown glimpses of ability in her 12 race-day efforts before her start at Forbury Park last night, but when driver Brent Barclay sent her for home in the 2200m mobile trot, her trotting gait was smooth and fluent, belying her mixed pedigree.
''That's why she's called Experiment, being out of a pacing mare,'' co-owner Errol Forde, of Makarewa said.
''We took all the gear off her tonight. There was nothing on her other than earplugs and a nose band.
''We were going to go to Winton in 10 days' time and Tony said, 'What about plan B at Forbury in a mobile trot', and I said, 'Why not go to Forbury then?'
''Forde is a hands-on owner, working his horses at Barron's Makarewa property after originally starting with Barron's father, Ron.''
When Ron retired, I took them across the road to Tony's so I give him a hand in the mornings.''
Forde won two races with Ezi Dollar in 1995, and has also had success with gallopers including Sahara King (four wins) but Experiment's victory is the first win for his partner and co-owner Jan Hawthorn.
''We've tried to breed a few but they either couldn't stand up or died,'' Hawthorn said.
Forde has a long association with the Barron family, and has Ken Barron to thank for the horse travelling south from Canterbury.
''Ken Barron was down one Christmas and said Michael House had a horse that he wanted to send around.
''Ken said he had enough horses and he'd send it down to Dad [Ron at Makarewa].
''I was working for Ron at the time and Ron said, `Do you want it?'''Forde and Hawthorn have the 5yr-old mare on a four-year lease.
While manners had been Experiment's major problem, luck had deserted Macardo at Gore on Sunday, but he took that out of the equation last night with a tidy win over favourite Kym's Boy in a 2200m maiden.
First success for pair
The win for the son of McArdle was also the first for the partnership of driver Brad Williamson and Invercargill trainer Murray Brown.
Williamson is on a short-term working stint with Brown and has driven occasionally for Brown in the past.
''I've had a heap of seconds for Murray but we haven't had much luck.''
Macardo is out of the speedy Southland racemare Jamie, but Brown - who trains the 5yr-old gelding for his wife Marilyn, Faye Davis, Barry Crofts and his daughter Hayley - was offered the gelding by Canterbury owner-breeder Peter Cates.
Williamson expects two or three more wins for Macardo.
''He actually did it quite easy tonight. The other one came back at him, but [Macardo] had the blinds on and didn't see him.''
