Canterbury junior reinsman Matt Anderson has become a regular visitor to Southland and it's proving to be a rewarding exercise as six of his ten winning drives so far this harness racing season have been in Southland.

At last weekends Wyndham meeting he scored a back to back double driving The Best Beg and Don Domingo to win. 

Anderson took The Best Beg to the front with just over a lap to run after being in the open for a short time and from there the result was never in doubt.

"He warmed up nice so we were always in with a bit of a show. When one of Tim Butt's horses travel to Wyndham you have to have a good level of confidence," he said.

The Love You five year old went down to the line winning easily by three and a quarter lengths from Pyramid Mustang who ran home late. 

Stretching out at the finish for an easy win          – Photo Bruce Stewart

"I never asked for an effort so it was very encouraging."

The Best Beg is out of the CR Commando mare Lough Beg. Her second dam Kahu Del left Harnett's Creek (13 wins), Swan Creek (8) and Cullen's Creek (9). Butt trained Swan Creek and Cullen's Creek. It's also the same family as champion trotter Lyal Creek.

In the next race Anderson got hot favourite Don Domingo home in the Marshalls Garage 2005 Limited Junior Drivers Mobile Pace.

The four year old by American Ideal has now won three of his five starts for West Melton trainer Ken and Tony Barron. 

"He's a lovely horse coming through the grades. Ken,Tony and Blair (regular driver Blair Orange) have a good opinion of him. He's a horse going places." 

The four year sat parked for most of the trip with Roxy Dale setting a solid pace. He was up challenging the leader at the 300 metres and held out a late charge from Don Sebastian to win by three quarters of a length.

Don Domingo (2) holding out Don Sebastion (3)       – Photo Bruce Stewart.

"He just shut off in the last little bit but when I asked for an effort I got a response. He's very green but he's good enough to sit parked and win on raw ability at this stage."

His winning time for the 2400 metre mobile was 2-57.6

Don Domingo is out of the nine win In The Pocket mare Ohoka Moon and was bred by Cavalla Bloodstock. He stems from an old Southland family developed by the late Colin Baynes. His fifth dam is Donna Charles. 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing