Allen salutes the judge

Oamaru trainer Steve Allen loves winning on his home track and that’s what he did today when Salute (Sweet Lou) won in his colours.

“I was over the moon. He really should have won a race by now and I was starting to think it was never going to happen,” he said.

In the Southern Harness Racing Mobile Pace at Oamaru driver Matty Williamson drove Salute to the front and there he stayed, winning by one and a half lengths from Troublemaker.

“He’ll definitely win another one. It’s not going to be easy as he’s gone up (in the ratings) again now.”

SALUTE REPLAY

The five year old was originally trained by Benny Hill who won two races with him before he had a short stint with Tony Herlihy.

“I didn’t actually get him off Tony. He’d been sent home and I got him off the breeder.”

Allen has had the gelding for twenty starts now for a win, two seconds and three thirds.

“He’s not straight forward. He’s real head strong. Nice on the ground but once you get him in the cart he’s very toey,”

Allen has worked for Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson for seventeen years.

“I’m part time now because I’m getting to that old age. I’ve been around Phil’s good horses.”

Salute is out of Gibson Girl, a Bettors Delight mare which won two of her eight starts for Steve Telfer. Allen also races Lord Fantasy a half-brother to Gibson Girl who ran eleventh in the same race.

This is Allen’s seventh winner. His first was Devils Way driven by Phil at Forbury Park in February 1997. His other winners have been Xmas In New York, Follow Me Fantasy (2) and Lord Fantasy (2) all of which were driven by Matty Williamson.

“Matt’s always been a great help to me because I work at the track. We’re a good team here.”

Allen originally comes from Seacliff.

“We were neighbours to Denis O’Connell, and we moved to Oamaru when I was sixteen. I’ve been here ever since.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink