The Phil Williamson trained Pyramid Magic came off a 60 metre handicap to win the ILT Centrepoint/South City Liquorland Handicap Trot at Wyndham today and in doing so broke a track and Southland record.
"He's a great beginner. He made up the ground quickly and went great," said driver Matty Williamson.
The six year old was coming off the back of two days hard racing at Cup Week and today's run was his third in just six days.
"He carries a lot of condition and he's a horse we have to keep on top of weight wise so having three runs in a week obviously tidied him up because he's gone the best he's ever gone today."
From his handicap the Armbro Invasion gelding settled last of the main bunch. At the 400 he was starting to get on the bit and was tucked away on the inside. Just before the home straight Williamson had the giant squaregaiter off the running line and improving four wide. He shook the reins at Pyramid Magic and he came away to beat Moment Of Sun by two lengths.
"I thought it might have been too tough for him today. He was the only one travelling around the home bend and I thought then that once we got to the outside he'd have them in trouble. None of the others were on the bit so I thought we were running along and that suits him. He did it quite comfortly but it just goes to show the drop in grade from here to Addington. He was struggling up there and when he comes down here he looks like a champion."
Pyramid Magic's winning time of 3-01.6 shaved 2.8 seconds of Ant's 2009 track record for geldings and also bettered Jess Jaccka's time of 3.01.9.
he gelding now heads off to his Gore owner Steve Hardiman's property for a well earned break.
"He's got better each time he's come back from a spell. He's in a tough grade now so hopefully he can come back better."
The national record for 2400 metre stand of 3-00.6 is jointly held by Gee Up Neddy and Sheemon.
The gelding now heads off to his Gore owner Steve Hardiman's property for a well earned break.
"He's got better each time he's come back from a spell. He's in a tough grade now so hopefully he can come back better."
Early in the day team Williamson won with another trotter Bobbins which easily took out the Wyndham Workouts Handicap Trot.
Bobbins winning Photo by Bruce Stewart
She was driven by Brad Williamson.
Bruce Stewart
Southland harness racing
