And the proof was there for all to see at Waikouaiti yesterday when Commanding Oak provided many of his 55 owners with their first racing win - one of five for Pitman on the day.
Pitman is the syndicate manager of the Pitman Racing $1 A Day Syndicate, which came about after an interview with Trackside TV presenter Greg O'Connor last year.
''I opened my big mouth at the races one day,'' Pitman said, laughing.
''Greg said `what do you think of the game?'.
''I said 'the game's going great, the stakes and money is good. Put it this way, a pauper can race a horse in New Zealand'.''
''He said `how do you work that out?'. I said `if someone gives me a buck a day I'll give them a share in a horse' and I did.''
Each of the owners pays $365 for their share in the horse for one year and Pitman said he was working on another syndicate which would race the Brilliance gelding, Professor.
Among the first-time owners are Phil and Heather Morgan, of Hawera. The Morgans are the parents of apprentice jockey Amanda Morgan, who is indentured to Pitman.
Their loyalties were divided, as their daughter rode Southern Sav, who put in a big run for second after getting back in the field in the early stages.
Phil Morgan admitted it was not easy who to cheer for in the straight, but they ensured equal support by taking a quinella, which paid $7.80.
Commanding Oak's win was one of four successes Pitman shared yesterday with jockey David Walsh
- Ladybird Blue kicking things off in the maiden for fillies and mares.
The Coats Choice mare choked down at Wingatui last month, although an inspection of the 4yr-old's throat was as clear as they came.
''We had its wind checked and the vet said he doubted he'd seen a cleaner throat on a horse for a long time,'' Pitman said.
''We put a tongue tie on her and I told David to let her find her feet and go around the whole lot if you have to.''
Pitman was very pleased to see his daughter-in-law, Brittany, salute on Ask Me in the final event of the day, a rating 65 1250m.
Brittany Pitman took on much of the day-to-day running of the Yaldhurst stables after the sudden death of Pitman's son, Jonny, in November, and Ask Me's victory was one way of Pitman, his wife, Diane, and son Matt - Brittany's husband - repaying her hard work.''
I'm so pleased for Brittany. She's been an absolute rock,'' Michael Pitman said.
''I wouldn't have got by without Brittany's support. Neither would Di and neither would Matt.''
Walsh's four victories brought his career tally to 2342 wins, just 16 behind the all-time New Zealand record of 2358 held by Lance O'Sullivan.
Wingatui jockey Shankar Muniandy will miss two days of riding after admitting a charge of careless riding at Waikouaiti yesterday.
Muniandy, riding Zac's Girl in race 2, allowed his mount to shift out with 200m to go, checking Desert Girl and Handsome Dax.
Muniandy's suspension begins after he rides at Greymouth on Saturday. He may ride again from January 16.
- Otago galloper Natuzzi had to settle for eighth in the group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday. The son of Coats Choice settled second-last shortly after the 1200m start, and made ground in the straight despite lacking racing room, finishing 3 lengths from winner Bounding.
