Hec Anderton, the retired Wingatui thoroughbred trainer, was back in the ranks of winning standardbred owners after a break of 19 years when True South won at Rangiora yesterday.
The 3yr-old True South was having his first start. He is raced by Anderton with long-time friends Alex McDonald, of Invercargill, and Eric Parr, of Ashburton, and trained at West Melton by Ken Barron.
Anderton had wins with the standardbred Worthy Blue in 1991 at Invercargill and Addington (1993). Ross Payne trained the Peoples Blue Chip gelding for his first win and Denice Swain for the second.
True South is the fourth foal of Panodoll, a Panorama-Rockne Dell mare who qualified but did not race. She is a half-sister to Joyfulbelle, the dam of Joyfuljoy (1.52.2) and Jumpforjoy.
Parr also won yesterday with Still Laughin from the Barron stable. The 3yr-old Live Or Die-Fast Winger filly was also having her first start.
Still Laughin is the sixth winner from as many foals to race out of Fast Winger, the dam of Armbro Winger (seven wins), Almost A Christian and Fastaroundtown.
Still Laughin was a $15,000 purchase at the 2010 premier yearling sale when offered by Hilderthorpe breeders Ray and Maureen Beale.
