Nothing plain about Penelope Lane

Although she hasn’t raced since December, the Brad Williamson trained Penelope Lane (Volstead) proved to be in a class of her own when winning at Central Southland Raceway yesterday. And she had to sit parked to do it.

“She could have relaxed better, but she settled from about the 800 to the 500. She’s definitely a better stayer than she is a sprinter,” Williamson said after the four year old mare beat Harriot’s Moment by a length and a quarter. She’s taken a lot of work this time and she’s been in work a long time. We just haven’t had a lot of trials. She has had a private workout at Oamaru. She generally races well on the fresh side,” he added.

PENELOPE LANE REPLAY

Although she’s not been seen in public for eight months, Williamson was confident of a good showing.

“She’s probably the best horse I’ve got. The divey ($22.40 to win) was the surprise. I told her owner (Michelle Caig – SBSR) that I was just going to tuck her away and treat the run as a trial because the final (Southern Surge) is in three weeks time. But when we were scoring up behind the gate she was really wanting to get on with it and when we left the gate she was full steam ahead.”

Once the Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Southern Surge Final is out of the way, Penelope Lane is likely to target the $40,000 Jasmyn’s Gift on her home track where she will start off the front line.

The win was Penelope Lane’s first this season (fifth overall) and she’s beginning to fashion a good record.

As well as being Group placed, she also holds a New Zealand record for fillies/mares over 2600 metres which she set on her home track last season.

She’s out of Caig’s Lindy Lane mare City Lane who is also the dam of Saratoga (12) and Renezmae (7).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink