Lucky Mum and McGowans chasing Group 1 glory

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

It's been 16 years since Pukekohe trainer Dave McGowan secured his last Group 1.

Back then it was One Dream winning the 2007 Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park.

Now McGowan, who trains with wife Clare, is becoming increasingly confident that Lucky Mum, a winner at Rangiora on Wednesday, could do the business in the Ace of Hearts for the two-year-old trotting fillies on Grand Prix day at Addington on December 10.

"It's been a while," he says of the gap between Group 1 successes, "and there's nothing in that Group 1 that worries me too much."

"She'd be hard to beat."

McGowan was encouraged by what he saw yesterday in the Team Bagrie 2YO Mobile Trot.

While hot favourite Wilma's Boy galloped at the start and was never a factor Lucky Mum went straight to the lead and settled perfectly for driver Matty Williamson.

Turning for home second favourite Tyron Eros looked a big threat only to break, leaving Lucky Mum to cruise home by more than 13 lengths.

"Matty said afterwards that she had a few gears left," says McGowan.

"She just keeps improving."

It was her first win in eight starts.

Lucky Mum is owned and raced by Nancy Peni, the wife of the late Rex Peni, who trained 12 winners from 2011 until his death in 2022. He bought the Father Patrick filly at the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sale in Auckland in February last year for $32,500.

"She didn't know much about the horses early on but she's loving it now," says McGowan.

After having a recent health scare McGowan wasn't at Rangiora yesterday with nephew Brad Mowbray looking after the horse at his Leeston property.

"Brad's doing a great job."

While McGowan hopes to get the all clear to head south to Addington Lucky Mum's regular driver Andre Poutama has been already been confirmed for the drive on a day that will see eight Group 1s, and over a million dollars in stakes.