Christmas comes early
Father Christmas, a winner at Oamaru on Sunday, has become eligible for a start in the 4-yearold trotter section of the Harness Jewels after a withdrawal on Monday.
Leigh Major has become eligible for the 4-year-old pacing mare section. Aliante (pacer) and I’ve Got This have been withdrawn from the series at Ashburton on May 30.
Father Christmas out-finished the pacemaker, No Potato by half a head after racing three wide over the last 1200m. He lowered a 16-year-old track record when he ran the 2600m (mobile) in 3.18.1.
The 28-person Seafield Trotting syndicate and David Beckingsale, who race the Love You-Juliana gelding on lease from Ashburton breeders Keith and Bevan Grice from the Phil Williamson stable, have applied for driver Brad Williamson to wear a Father Christmas hat on his safety helmet.
Junior driver Brad, 20, has driven Father Christmas in his 19 races for five wins.
“The syndicate members are thrilled. They have raced a few horses and this will be their first in the Jewels,” said Phil, who has won the corresponding Harness Jewels race with Springbank Richard (2008) at Cambridge and Leighton Hest the following year at Ashburton.
Springbank Richard was driv- en by Nathan Williamson and Leighton Hest by Matthew, brothers of Brad.
Leigh Major, trained at Wyndham by Brendon McLellan, has won at Winton (twice) and Gore this season from 16 starts.
She won a heat of the Golden Girls series over a mile in 1.56.4 at Winton in March for her Edendale breeders, Alister and Bruce Sinclair.
Burnaholeinmypocket, the 3-year-old Australian invitee to the Harness Jewels, eclipsed his rivals in a $6000 race at Melton on Monday. He won by 20m in a 1.54.5 mile rate for the 1720m (mobile).
The 3-year-old filly invitee, Glenferrie Bronte, won against her age group at Melton on Friday night in a 1.57.6 mile rate for 2240m. Just Cala, another invitee, finished fifth in a free-for-all the same night.
Leonardo, who collected a Harness Plus bonus for his win at Ascot Park on Saturday, will chase a similar bonus at Winton on Sunday.
Rapid Mach, who will make the trip from West Melton, Acolyte and Milligan are others chasing a Harness Plus bonus at Winton.