Smith savours Duke’s mile

By Jonny Turner

Cromwell breeder-owner Lester Smith already had a smart broodmare on his hands before her resume got bumped up a level with the outstanding win of Duke Of Cornwall at Young Quinn Raceway yesterday.

The son of Sweet Lou and broodmare gem Galleon’s Honour produced a stunning performance when sitting parked for his entire mile (1609m) contest before cruising to a comfortable victory in the brilliant time of 1.52.6 for trainer Lauren Pearson and driver Matthew Williamson.

Despite his tough trip, Duke Of Cornwall stopped the clock just 0.4 sec outside the Young Quinn Raceway track record held by Kiwi On Show.

Smith admitted even during the running he wasn’t sure his pacer would be able to overcome sitting parked outside a smart type, in runner-up and favourite Hiranya, and still win.

“It was a great win, I am actually still a bit emotional about it,” the breeder-owner said yesterday.

“When he was out there (outside the leader) I thought hello, what is going to happen here.”

“But it was a brilliant performance.”

Smith, a longtime partner with Invercargill law firm Cruikshank Pryde, has enjoyed brilliant success with Duke Of Cornwall’s dam, Galleon’s Honour.

The two-year-old is the sixth foal and sixth winner from the Christian Cullen mare who Pearson also trained.

Among them is 2018 Southland harness horse of the year Duke Of Wellington

“She was a great buy many years ago, I have got a yearling full brother to Duke Of Cornwall out of her.”

“She left an Art Major filly this year and she has been served by Bettor’s Wish.”

Pearson has developed all of the progeny of Galleon’s Honour with her partner Brent Barclay.

Each of the previous five foals have won in Australia after being sold by Smith.

After his win in the sulky behind Duke Of Cornwall, Matthew Williamson got to enjoy watching the runner he trains, Winning Bones, run to victory in race 7 from the comfort of the Young Quinn Raceway grandstand.

Kerryn Tomlinson did the steering behind the five-year-old who overcome a 10m handicap when taking out yesterday’s feature handicap trot.

With a junior driver in the sulky, breeders and owners Everyday’s A Good Day Syndicate were delivered a penalty free victory.