Sometimes a horse just needs some time by itself to figure out its own problems.
And a month in the paddock seems to have worked with Zachary Binx, judging by his dashing sprint to win the c2 and faster trot at the Waimate Trotting Club's annual meeting at Oamaru Racecourse yesterday.
The son of Sundon was good enough to run second to King Denny in the 4yr-old Ruby at the Harness Jewels in Ashburton last season, but had tailed off this season after two wins in September.
Trainer Ken Ford said the gelding had ‘‘done enough'' before the break following a distant 12th at Ashburton on Boxing Day.
"So we gave him a month out and brought him back in,'' Ford said.
"He's not a bad horse, but he wasn't trotting quite square. So in the time out, I think he's come right - he might have had a couple of soreness issues.''
The manner of his victory is a reminder of his class factor, and Ford now has to decide whether Zachary Binx will join stablemate Amaretto Sun in the 4 and 5yr-old championship at Addington on April 1.
"We're just tossing up whether to put them both in there or just one of them.''
Idealindiamonds sprinted stylishly up the passing lane for fill-in driver Matt Anderson to win the $14,000 Waimate Cup.
Anderson is filling in for regular driver Bob Butt, who is suspended, and trainers David and Catherine Butt were in Australia for the weekend for Anthony Butt's 50th birthday.
"I'm sure they're having a rum or two over there watching it,'' Anderson said.
"It all worked out - he's got beautiful manners so it all helps.''
Breeder David Gorman hopes Automatic's win at Oamaru yesterday might be a sign of what is to come.
Gorman, who races Automatic with his son, Andy, has two younger full brothers to the son of Changeover - a 3yr-old named Multi Power and a 2yr-old Dry Creek.
Gorman breeds from the Falcon's Icon mare Advance Spark - the fourth generation of mares bred by Gorman - as he continues the breed which was started by his father Leo.
Advance Spark has also left a Lis Mara yearling colt, and was served by Sir Lincoln in November.
She might not be as good as her half-brother King Denny - the horse who beat Zachary Binx in the Harness Jewels - but Oona looks like a useful trotter for connections.
It just remains to be seen who those connections might be after her second straight win yesterday at Oamaru.
"The owner [Trevor Casey] has said it's for sale - he said he's got too many - but we'll just see,'' co-trainer and driver Colin De Filippi said.
Oona provided sire The Pres with his second win yesterday after Wandering Star broke through at his 27th start for Tinwald trainer Alistair Lowe and his wife Bernadette.
The 4yr-old has kept Lowe thinking with his tendency to pace during a trotting race, although the pacing influence on his dam's side is strong.
Wandering Star's dam, Star Of Roseal, is by pacing sire Main Star and his second dam, Lady Lith, was by Lordship.
