But there was no need for lights as the sun shone on the Ray Hanson-trained trotter who strode to her maiden victory during one of the few daytime meetings the track has hosted over the past six decades.
"I worked out that I have been training for 50 years," Hanson said.
"I remember when they tested new lights before I started. I was in the fire service at the time.
"It was just incredible the way they lit up the whole area."
Hanson officially began training at the Dunedin track in 1980 and has racked up 31 wins, working his horses there and at nearby Smaills Beach alongside friend and fellow Forbury Park stalwart, the late Lester Mathieson.
Exactly how many victories the veteran horseman finishes with will be up to Dem Bones Dem Bones.
Hanson has decided the 5yr-old will be the last horse he trains.
With the way she has progressed recently and her victory yesterday the trainer’s tally looks set to edge higher.
"She has been knocking. It has only been immaturity that has been stopping her," Hanson said.
"We have just been waiting for the penny to drop."
Dem Bones Dem Bones has often made slow starts before rushing home for a minor placing.
Hanson took the mare off the unruly two starts ago and was immediately lumped with a wide draw and then a second-row draw in yesterday’s race.
The trainer had done his best to get the mare ready to win, so left it to driver Matthew Williamson to try to get Dem Bones Dem Bones into a handy spot.
"I said to Matty ‘you are just going to have to sort that one out yourself’," Hanson said.
Williamson did exactly that and worked the mare into the trail with a lap to go when he was threatened with being left sitting parked.
"It was out of character," Hanson said of the run.
"She is normally chasing from a long way back, but here she was sitting behind the leader with a lap to go."
A lack of trials has not helped Dem Bones Dem Bones learn the racing game.
"I have got a lot of time for her.
"I haven’t rushed her and if we weren’t so short of trials down here I think she would be a lot further forward."
Hanson credited Williamson for his help in teaching the mare to get away faster and race more tractably in the field.
"I have been lucky. With Matt’s father (Phil Williamson) not having many maidens at the moment I have been able to get him (Matt) to drive her.
"It has just been a natural progression. He is a very knowledgeable driver.
"In fact, I rate him the best trotting driver there is."
Hanson races Dem Bones Dem Bones with Keith Campbell, of Dunedin, and Barry Dent, of Christchurch.
