Creativity is a driver's best friend.
And for a driver who became famous - some would say infamous - for climbing on top of a sulky three years ago, Zac Butcher had to mark Sky Major making Harness Jewels history somehow.
Butcher's patient drive with the Art Major entire in the 4yr old emerald at Ashburton on Saturday ensured the Barry Purdon trained pacer a special place in Harness Jewels history as the first horse to win the 2yr old, 3yr old and 4yr old versions of any category.
Butcher copped a $500 fine in 2012 when he stood up in the sulky at Alexandra Park behind Jonny Wilkinson, after beating father David in the drivers' premiership that year.
The group 1 winning driver said he had been considering how to celebrate Sky Major's history making if the chance arose.
''I had been thinking about that all week,'' Butcher said.
''Some people had asked me what I was going to do if I got the three [wins], and that's all I could come up with.''
Butcher's salute was a simple three fingers pointed in the air, although he made sure the whip was in the other hand, so there was no chance of being fined for a whip salute before the line.
Sky Major's win certainly deserved some acknowledgement. After all, in the middle of April, he was a long shot of even qualifying for the Harness Jewels, after campaigning in Australia where he won the Chariots Of Fire.
Following an eighth in the Taylor Mile, Sky Major was on a Jewels or bust mission when he lined up on the NZ Messenger on April 24.''
We were on the back foot going into the Messenger and he had to run first or second to get in,'' Butcher said.
''But that's just what happens. We targeted that race in Aussie and we were lucky enough to win it, but to have the joys of coming back here to win the Messenger and backing up in the Jewels is pretty special.''
Butcher had already claimed the 4yr old diamond earlier in the day with Lancewood Lizzie, but Sky Major's win in 1.54.1 in a strong wind ensured part owner Trevor Casey would walk away from Ashburton with a share in three Jewels winners - Sky Major, Lazarus and Missandei.
What is more, Casey - the proprietor of Lone Star Riccarton - set a Jewels first of his own with Missandei's victory in the 2yr old ruby.
Her dam, Pocaro, was victorious in the 2009 3yr old ruby, making Missandei the first Jewels winner out of a Jewels winner.
Casey raced Pocaro and is the sole breeder of the Sundon mare and you get the feeling this race meant a little more than most for Casey, who also owns Stent - the Trotter Of The Year in waiting.
''There's nothing better - it's absolutely fantastic,'' Casey said.
Pocaro has produced Muscles Yankee yearling colt and a Muscle Hill weanling colt after Missandei.
