Martin Pierson will definitely be in his mother's good books after Sara Holley's win at Forbury Park last night.
The Darfield man races the Jonny Cox and Amber Hoffman-trained 4yr-old mare with his wife, Maureen, and his mother, Jennifer. The win comes just before Mother's Day tomorrow but there is another reason for her to celebrate this weekend.
''It's actually her birthday tomorrow [Saturday], so that's quite nice,'' Pierson said.
The Piersons have had to display the patience of a mother, too, after having some rotten luck - not only with Sara Holley, who had gone 16 starts without a win prior to last night, but with her mother, Philetous.
''I said to Amber I'm so pleased for the horse because she's always tried her guts out,'' he said.
''She's had a lot of tie-up problems.
''If she went no good tonight, we were going to take her home but we'll just race her through the winter, give her a freshen-up and get her bred in the spring.''
Philetous had been matched with some nice sires in recent breeding seasons, but not everything had worked out in the Piersons' favour since Eleanor Roosevelt (6 wins) and Sara Holley.''
We've got a Rocknroll [Hanover] 2yr-old which we haven't tried yet and the mare's in foal to [Auckland] Reactor.
''But we lost a Western Ideal which, given there is only nine foals [with the likes of] Jango Fett, Raksdeal, Gentle Western and Ideal Power, we were a bit gutted to lose it really.
''And last year we lost a [Rocknroll] Heaven colt.''
Those bad breaks might explain Pierson's loud calls of support as Jonny Cox got her up in the final 100m to beat Beautiful Brown Eyes.
''We go anywhere to follow them, so I'm just thrilled for the horse.''
Kath O'Connor brought up her second training success courtesy of a smart drive from Tim Williams behind Ronnoco in the final 1200m heat.
It also meant the former racing colours of the late Brian O'Connor - Kath O'Connor's cousin - were victorious on O'Connor's old home track.
''It's absolutely brilliant,'' she said.
''I'll just freshen him now and go for the final [on May 22].''
Suspended
Ashburton driver David McCormick was suspended for two driving days after causing interference to Och Aye The Noo in race 1.
McCormick improved his horse Queen Mary on the inside of Och Aye The Noo, causing tightening and the interference.
McCormick, who admitted the charge, may drive again from May 23.
Queen Mary, who finished fifth, was relegated to ninth behind Och Aye The Noo, while the fourth-placed Zachary Smith was disqualified for breaking for more than 50m in the home straight.
