Rebecca Heads continues winning run at Invercargill

By Jonny Turner 

Rebecca Heads is hoping her golden run of form can continue past the peak of the southern harness racing season.

As Diamonds Day has loomed, Heads' team of three horses have burst back into their best form.

The trainer produced Lou's Deal to score at Winton last week before Justa Terra ran to an upset victory at Ascot Park yesterday.

The third member of her team Spells Of Love has held up his end too, running into third at Thursday's curtain-raiser for Diamonds Day.

Heads won her first race in the sulky since 2019 when Lou's Deal powered home late to score at Winton.

Getting back into the winner's circle with a horse that has been by her side for the best part of five years made it all the more special.

"It was a massive thrill, he has had his setbacks like I have."

"I actually retired him and he was supposed to be mustering on the farm."

"But I needed a friend for my trotter when he was jogging up and he was quite fat."

"I couldn't get the girth done up on the saddle."

"So I jogged him up and he was looking good and I thought you're not finished with yet."

Heads returned to race driving this year with the help of some fellow Eastern Southlanders. 

"I had some health issues so I had to take my time to get myself right."

"With a head injury you can't rush things."

"I am very lucky that the Norman family have been great to be associated with."

"Brian and Keith and Tracey sort of encouraged me, plus I needed to have so many trial drives to get my licence back."

"The other thing is the half points the horses get with me on them."

"There are not a lot of junior races for a horse like Spells Of Love, so it has got to be a help for an honest horse like him."

Mark Hurrell took the reins behind Justa Terra and gave the pacer a perfect trip, which helped him score in just his second start since joining the Heads stable.

"Johnny Dunn messaged me and said he had a horse that the owners were interested in sending down south.”

"I talked to them and came up with a bit of a plan."

"He's come from the beach to the rolling hills on the farm, so it is quite a change and I think it has helped him."

Punters didn't see Justa Terra's win coming, letting him drift to a massive $91 fixed odds win price.