Horses never go hungry at One Over Lodge, and Heather Williams thinks that could be the secret behind One Over Da Moon's group 1 Ruby victory in the Harness Jewels at Ashburton on Saturday.
The son of Majestic Son may have given Williams and her husband Lex, who farm near Waimate, some worries earlier this season as he misbehaved himself in the races for 2yr-old trotters, but they were all forgotten as he finished strongly to beat Majestic Time in 1.57.9 for the mile.
You could argue the scales are tipped in his favour when his mother's name, One Over Kenny, pops up in the racebook. She won 32 races during her glittering career. But nothing is ever certain in racing, let alone breeding.
''Breeding is a great thing, isn't it,'' Heather Williams said.
''We think if you breed from the best and go to the best, hopefully you can get the best, but it doesn't always work like that.''
One Over Da Moon, known as Mr Moon at home, was foaled from a surrogate mare at Nevele R Stud, and returned to One Over Lodge.
''He was never big, but he was very strong,'' Williams said.
''He's never missed a feed. We really believe in feeding and we'll go home tonight in time to feed everybody.''
While the chestnut colt broke at his last two starts, he had shown the scope of his talents with consecutive wins at Addington and Alexandra Park - and Williams had complete faith in master trainer Paul Nairn to iron out the kinks.
''We didn't know what that was all about really, but you just rely on Paul to fix that,'' she said.
''He's got a big heart,'' Williams said of One Over Da Moon.
''Paul has always told us he's got something special.''
He's managed him really well. He keeps in touch with us, because we love knowing what [the colt] is up to.''
And who knows what next year may bring. One Over Da Moon looks like a colt who would enjoy the Derby distances next season, while a half-brother yearling colt by Pegasus Spur called One Over Dover is waiting at home in Waimate.
But first, there is the Breeders Crown in Victoria in two months' time in mind for One Over Da Moon before he takes a break.
