Mallory brings up milestone

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Mallory Maguire (Art Major) in the hands of Brad Williamson gave Branxholme owner Lindsay Thompson his 100^th harness racing winner when she won at the Central Southland Raceway at Winton today.

In the Winton’s Middle Pub Mobile Pace Williamson was happy to sit parked for most of the trip. At the end of the 2400 she was too strong for pacemaker Arista and won by a length.

Mallory Maguire (red and white) starts her move from the back with a lap to run (Bruce Stewart)

“Brad said she was lovely. She relaxed and when he asked her to quicken, she did,” said trainer Alister Black.

Mallory Maguire winning for Brad Williamson (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Mallory Maguire was purchased by Lindsay and his brother Ian for just $12,500 at the 2022 Yearling Sales and prior to today’s start she’d raced only three times.

“She’s had a few niggly injuries. She had a chip taken out of her knee and she had six to eight months out.”

Winning connections (Bruce Stewart photo)

Today’s start was her first in eighteen months, so it was a great training effort by the Branxholme horseman.

Black’s son Riley has played a big part in the mare’s preparation and he drove her in three of her four workouts leading into today’s resumption.

“When he finished school she needed a bit of after hours attention with her feet. So he fluffed around with her and we paid him back by letting him drive her at the workouts.”

More than thirty eight years ago on the Winton track Lindsay had his first winner – trotter Young Reb, which was trained by Brendon McLellan.

Since 2006 he’s raced the majority of his horses with Ian and the pair have had a lot of success with such as Vintage Cheddar (11), Get Lucky (7), Ossessione (6) and Six Diamonds (6).

The also raced Mallory Maguire’s full brother Sonny Maguire to win two races.

Williamson’s winning drive on the mare was  his 50^th for the brothers.

Black says Mallory Maguire will now target Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Silk Road Mares races with the $30,000 final at Ascot Park on 12^th June.