In a titanic battle up the Winton straight today, Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) beat a gallant Wag Star in today’s $25,000 Transport Services Ltd Wairio Cup.

Both started off the 20 metre handicap and while Always Dreaming got away to a flyer, Wag Star bombed the start, losing a conservative thirty metres before he got into his hopples.

With a lap to run driver Matty Williamson took Always Dreaming to the front wanting to make it harder on Wag Star, who had tacked onto to the back of field.

With 800 metres to run Wag Star’s driver Craig Ferguson moved up to sit parked outside Always Dreaming.

At the 400 the two went to war, leaving the chasing bunch in their wake.

At the line Always Dreaming had three quarters of a length over Wag Star with Macandrew Aviator eight and a quarter lengths back in third.

ALWAYS DREAMING REPLAY

“It was a terrific run from Wag Star because he missed away. He had to come up beside us, they went together and it was an exciting finish,” winning trainer Nathan Williamson said.

The time of 2-54.6 was a new race record, lowering Robyns Playboy’s 2023 time of 2-55.7.

The time was just outside Eamon Maguires New Zealand record of 2-54.2 set at Ashburton in 2018.

“I’m not a good race watcher, but I’m getting better. It was good to see him win. He’s a lovely horse. He’s a quiet achiever and just keeps doing the job.”

The four year old gelding is raced by the Nine Three Syndicate, Chris Alcock and the Nude Again Syndicate. He’s now won nine races and is closing in on $160,000 in earnings.

“His targets are going to be the Country Cups races over the next couple of months. He’s chased Marketplace and Got The Chocolates around a bit and that’s stood to him. I think it’s toughened him up a bit. I think the longer distances are going to suit with the likes of the Wyndham Cup over 3200 metres and the 2700 metres around Invercargill (Northern Southland Cup) because he is a good stayer,” said Williamson.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink