The well bred Doitson did just that at his first start at Ascot Park yesterday.

The Bettor's Delight colt is part owned by Tony Hickman who was on-course yesterday to see the three year old beat second favourite Franco Santino.

"He's gone alright at trials but it's a different story on race day, " said Hickman whose brother Kevin owns Valachi Downs – a thoroughbred stud near Matamata.

Tony's owned a handful of nice horses including In The Pocket gelding Jackson Browne. He won six races for Gerard O'Reilly before Davey and Catherine Butt won another five races with him including the 2006 Northern Southland Cup.  

Doitson (Red) beating Franco Santino – Photo Bruce Stewart.

Doitson had been sighted at two trials – running second in May to the Nigel McGrath trained Sheriff while he won his second trial on the same course last month. 

"We expected him to go well and hoped he'd do things right. He'll come back for the final and if he's going good in April he'll come back again for the Supremacy," said co-trainer Davey Butt.

The final he's referring to is the second final of the Nuggets Series at the Riverton Trotting Club meeting on Sunday 5th November.

If he wins that final he'll also be eligible for the $20,000 Super Nuggets Final in which all Nugget winners and second place getters are eligible to start. That race will be held at the Northern Southland meeting in March.

Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart.

Doitson is the first colt out of the one win Christian Cullen mare Sister Bertrand. Her third dam is Hazel Hanover the dam of Holmes Hanover. 

Butt has reined 1,134 winners. However he's been suffering from vertigo and prior to yesterday hadn't driven at the races since June when he drove Wilma's Mate to win the $100,000 Four Year Old Ruby at Ashburton. 

"I'm still driving work at home but not at the races. The specialist reckons in another three to six months it should be gone. I can't balance properly and everything's a bit shaky when I'm moving."

When asked if he was missing race day driving he said, "A wee bit with horses like Wilma's Mate. You miss the good ones."

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
 

Doitson winning his race