Southern harness racing snippets

Bruce Stewart Contributor

Quality pacer Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) won’t race again.

The four year old pulled up lame after running third in the Gore Cup at the end of December and was diagnosed to have a split sesamoid.

The colt was bought at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales by brothers Lindsay and Ian Thomson for $32,000. He won five of his fourteen starts for Branxholme trainer Alister Black.

Captain Tom and Alister Black (Bruce Stewart Photo)

There was no more impressive winner at the Wairio meeting than Fiery Bandito (Majestic Son).

Trainer driver Kirstin Green got the often wayward trotter safely away from the unruly and settled the five year old back in the field before setting out at the 1200 with a searching run three wide to get handy. The gelding remained three wide all the way to the home straight before settling down to fight out the finish with Blithe. At the line Fiery Bandito had a neck to spare on Blithe.

Fiery Bandito beating Blithe at Winton (Bruce Stewart Photo)

The winning time for the 2400 metre stand was a respectable 3-04.4.

Fiery Bandito returning at Winton (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Owned by Tom and Julie Kilkelly, Shaye and Heather McKenzie and Ricky Collis, Fiery Bandito is a half-brother to Smokin Bandar.

“He’s the best horse in the barn and he’ll be better in twelve months,” Green said.

Zamperini’s (Sweet Lou) win yesterday at the Wairio meeting extended a unique link driver Nathan Williamson has with the horse’s family.

Zamperini winning at Winton (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Not only did he train and drive the four year old to win yesterday but he also won with the gelding’s dam Glenburn Joy (American Idea) and her mother Glenburn Jewel (Live Or Die).

Zamperini and Nathan Williamson returning (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Breeder Paul Hailes offered Zamperini at the 2021 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales but he was passed in for $25,000. He’s now raced by Hailes and a large group of owners.

Zamperini winning owners (Bruce Stewart Photo)