Precious win

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Winton trained trotting mare Precious Memories (Majestic Son) provided Riverton Trotting Club President Tracey McMaster with a special win today at her Club’s meeting at the Central Southland Raceway in Winton.

The lightly raced five year old made the most of a good getaway and in the hands of Craig Feguson took out the Bill Keast Memorial Gold Chip Final, a race named after Tracey’s late father.

McMaster shares in the ownership with her good friend and Riverton TC committee member Bridget Stevens.

“It’s great for Tracey. We tried to win Tony’s race (The Tony Steven’s Memorial named after Bridget’s father) but that wasn’t to be. So to win the one for Tracey’s dad is great,” trainer Chelsea Faithful said.

Precious Memories, out of the four win Grant Our Wishes mare Hurry Curry which won four races for Curly Thomas, was bred by Keast.

Tracey lost her sister with cancer just before Covid while Bridget lost a close friend and that’s  how the horse was named.

The race was a bit of a shambles with horses breaking and the field stretching over lots of territory. From early on The Merc, Majestic Challen and Precious Memories opened up a substantial lead.

“I was trying to find Clotilde (favourite Clotilde Wainwright). After 600 metres I finally found her out the back. I’m not sure whether she made a mistake, but I was quite happy about that.”

At the end of the 2400 metres Precious Memories had a two length buffer on Majestic Challen with the The Greek Freek two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Precious Memories winning for Craig Ferguson (Bruce Stewart Photo)

“She’s still a week to week proposition. With all the issues she’s had, you’ve got to give her credit because she does dig deep and try hard.”

Both of Precious Memories wins have been at Riverton meetings.

She’s noticeably fined down from when she first started racing. “She’s not as chucky as she was but I would like another 80 kilos on her. She does work herself harder than she needs to, doesn’t always eat the best but she has been a lot better lately,” said Faithful.

So what’s next?

“There’s a fillies and mares series coming up for the trotters. It’s whether we go there or to the paddock. Depends on how she pulls up.”

Winning connections (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Meanwhile Faithful’s classy two year old filly Ideal Crown (American Ideal) will race next in the Group Two Bionic Chance Bracelet at Addington in two weeks time.

She last raced in the Group One Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park.

“She’s pulled up well and is full of beans. Back to her own sex should make it a bit easier. She didn’t disgrace herself at Invercargill and I was extremely proud of her.”

Ideal Crown wasn’t originally nominated for the Diamond Creek, but Faithful’s employer Nathan Williamson persuaded her to put Ideal Crown in when nominations were extended.

“It’s something I wouldn’t normally do but I’ve got to give Nathan a bit of a plug. He did push me to put her in when the noms were light and weaker than what we thought they would be.”

Faithful bought Ideal Crown from Woodlands Stud after the filly was passed in at the Weanling Sales.

“Purchased as a five thousand dollar weanling and to come down and do the job she’s done. She’s an absolute gem. She’s taking all of us on one hell of a ride.”