Styrax streets them at Wyndham
By Jonny Turner
Was that David Moss? No, it was Styrax.
Wild weather and flooding made for an unusual lead up into Friday’s meeting at Wyndham causing transport issues, many late scratchings and driver changes.
If the build-up was unusual, things went to another level when Styrax ran to an astonishing 35 and a half-length win in Friday’s opener.
After having only driven six times in the past four seasons, the mare was rated beautifully in front by Tony Stratford.
The Gore reinsman stepped in for one of several drivers stranded in Canterbury in Craig Ferguson.
Stratford had Styrax in front and by the time they reached the 600m, they were around 20 lengths in front of the field.
When the pair got to the winning post they were more than 35 lengths in front and Stratford was still hanging on to the mare.
Despite his effort to guide Styrax to such a stunning win, Stratford explained the situation in no uncertain terms.
“I reckon anyone could have driven her, I just had to hold on.”
The margin may have been a surprise to the reinsman, but Styrax’s victory for trainer Gay McClymont was not.
The reinsman drove the mare in a recent workout and was impressed by the feel she gave him.
“I drove her at the workouts as Craig was up in Christchurch that weekend.”
“Gee she gave me a great feel, Gay said the horse had to pass to get back to the races and said just try to get her round.”
“She sat on the back of Fiery Bandito and she felt like she could have run past him, then he came out and won the big trot at Addington.”
When Styrax was out by a big margin as far from home as the 800m Stratford never worried about whether he had gone a bit early.
The thought never entered his mind.
“I had a look around a couple of times, but I didn’t know what they were up to.”
“She wasn’t out of second gear at any stage.”
Stratford went on to drive several of his own horses later at Friday’s meeting giving them every chance while filling in for regular stable driver Blair Orange.
Despite his good efforts, there is no chance Stratford will be in his stable colours regularly.
“There is no need for me to be out there when there are all these good young drivers.”
“It worked out good, but it was just the circumstances of the day.
In winning, Styrax delivered the second stunning win for trainer Gay McClymont in just a fortnight.
Late last month the trotter’s older half-sister Rata produced a Rough Habit like performance to win from a hopeless position at Winton.
Some fake news spread following Styrax’s stunning win at Wyndham, with suggestions her winning margin was a New Zealand record.
As stunning as it was, the 35 and a half length romp was a little short of the 41-length win by former Southland star David Moss at Ascot Park in 1991.
However as far as maiden wins go, it looks awfully hard to challenge.
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