Chips gone - Jay Bee Hill on song

Bruce Stewart Journalist

The removal of a bone chip has allowed Jay Bee Hill (What The Hill) to race up to her potential and her maiden win at Wingatui today, validated the wisdom of operating.

“We didn’t know she had it and no matter what sort of shoeing I did, it didn’t change anything. We couldn’t get her to trot round the bends. We decided to spend the four grand and we got Brendon Bell to take it out. Today was her third start back,” trainer Bruce Wallace said.

Driver Matty Williamson got Jay Bee Hill away well from the 2200 metre start point and took her to the lead before handing up to Garonne with 1500 metres to run. Williamson got the passing lane turning in and Jay Bee Hill trotted away to beat Garonne by four and a half lengths.

“It makes it easy when they say go, (if) they trot off and put themselves in the race.”

Raced by Bruce his wife Marie and Michael and Jane Ann Mouat, Jay Bee Hill is out of Inessa’s Dream, the last foal of broodmare gem Frances Jay Bee the mother of One Over Kenny (32) and One Under Kenny (11).

Wallace bred a number of foals out of Frances Jay Bee.

“Phil Williamson had the lions share of it. I didn’t really get too much out of Frances Jay Bee. I got O’Driscoll (Sundon), Shouldn’t Do It (Holmes Hanover) and Inessa’s Dream (Great Success). I definitely pulled the wrong rein.”

But he did breed five win mare Ruby’s Jewel out of Shouldn’t Do It.

“She would have gone a bit further but would have battled in the top grade, so she became a broodmare. She’s left Hobbs.”

Wallace originates from North Otago and was a neighbour of Phil Williamson.

“He was my best man and Nathan (Williamson) was my pageboy.”

Wallace was a farrier by trade for the early part of his working life.

“I got married and went milking cows.”

Bruce and wife Marie have just sold their dairy farm at Knapdale after twenty one years in the industry and are moving to a new property in Otama where they’re in the process of putting in a new track and seven boxes.

“I’m going to train a few more horses next year.”

Wallace is also breeding from American Ideal mare Leer, who’s a half-sister to Wildwest (17), Wild Bull (7), Stealth (3) and Wild East (3).

“We’ve got a foal out of her by Bettor’s Delight so we might have to go and buy a mate.”

Wallace has distinct colours of black with pink stripes on the sleeves.

“They’re very famous colours. They cost me two flagons of beer. I bought them off Bob Cleave of Waimate. That’s what I bought them for and I gave him a hand to drink them.”

Cleave trained a host of winners including Idolmite and Armbro King.