Splashem splashes to success

By Mike Love

Splashem produced an impressive debut victory at Addington Raceway last night to win the Chester's Plumbing And Bathrooms Mobile Pace for Russley trainer Laura McKay.

In conditions that tripped up a few runners throughout the night, Splashem splashed through the surface without a worry.

Driven by junior driver Sam Thornley, the three-year-old Downbytheseaside gelding was restrained toward the rear of the field.

There they bided their time until the 600-metre mark when Thornley unleashed the winning run three and four wide, seizing the lead from the 400 metres and pulling away to win by four and a half lengths.

"They went really hard the whole way, so I thought I'd save him for a sit, but when we got to the 600m I thought I may as well just go. It worked out well," said driver Sam Thornley in a post-race interview.

The win gave Thornley his 196th career win, while McKay picked up her sixth.

"I didn't really expect him to win from that draw!" said McKay.

Having qualified at Rangiora just three weeks ago on June 4th, Splashem has come a long way in a short time this campaign.

"I'm really stoked. He'd been going well at the trials."

Splashem was a $25,000 purchase from the Auckland leg of the NZB Standardbred Sales, and is now raced by McKay's brother and father.

"They'll be pretty happy when they see the result. They're actually both in the UK at the moment on holiday."

McKay works for trainer Steve Dolan.

"I work my horses in with him. He's really helped me out a lot."

Downbytheseaside made it three wins as a sire for the night; other winners were two-year-old Helius for trainer Cheree Wigg, driven by Blair Orange, and Ocean Of Tears for trainer/driver John Morrison.

Ocean Of Tears' victory contributed to a double for Morrison as a trainer/driver, with Amass winning the final race on the card.