It is tough for any owner in the racing industry to get one win.
So it is little wonder Michael Pitman was so thrilled to get the win with Fade To Grey in a 1200m maiden at Oamaru.
The Guillotine filly is one of three fillies Pitman packaged together to create the Pearl Series Syndicate, and with her win yesterday, all three fillies have now won races for the dozen or so members in the syndicate.
Queen Serene, a winner at Wingatui in March, looks like she will enjoy the staying races next season, while First Serve won her first two starts in the autumn before running a slashing second to Xtravagant in the Cambridge Breeders' Stakes last month.
The Pearl Fillies Syndicate includes Waimate dairy farmers Lyle Green and Paul Harrison, who were on course yesterday.
"They're as as keen as any owners I've got,'' Pitman said of the pair.
"They've been to the North Island and all over the place.''Pitman is naturally pleased about the syndicate's results, particularly in its first season.
"They're all babies - they're only 3yr-old fillies.''
Pitman was going to scratch Fade To Grey on Thursday due to an average draw, but her track work that day changed his mind.
"After she worked so good over 1000m yesterday, I said we're going to run. It was only a last-minute decision.
"It's got so much to learn it doesn't matter but it's got the basics - it's got speed.''
● Overnightsensation did not need to read her own name to hype herself up.
She took a quick detour into the bushes in the birdcage prior to the race, as co-trainer Kenny Rae fixed up a gear issue.
But the Coats Choice mare was all business on the track in her third South Island start, chasing down runaway leader Portovenere.
The 5yr-old had her first start in the south at Waterlea on May 1, finishing ninth before battling for 10th at Winton on May 15.
"Her form hasn't been that good,'' Rae admitted.
"Up north she had 25 starts for one win but 15 or 16 times in the first four or five against reasonably good horses. But now she's back in business.''
Being rated 58 prior to this win, her re-rating should still mean she can seek another win in benchmark rating 65 company.
● The husband-and-wife team of John and Karen Parsons had early success with Alpine Julz (race 1) and Tomm Jones (race 4).
The latter is collating a good horse's record, taking his earnings over $40,000 with his fourth win from just 15 starts.
The problem, Karen Parson said, was keeping the horse on the track.
"We've got to keep his feet off the stones. He's always out with a stone bruise.''
The King Of Roses gelding is unlikely to press on into the winter, but Parsons said the 2200m maiden winner, Alpine Julz, will be given a try on the heavier tracks.
"She should handle it, although I don't know...
"Her mum [Alpine Delight] could handle the wet but [half-brother] Alpine Heights didn't, but we'll go a wee bit further [into the winter] anyway.''
Updates
Additional information for meetings today.-
M2 Auckland RCRiderRace 5: Battlefield - Lynsey SatherleyRace 10: Downton Abbey - no rider declaredScratchingsRace 5: Magic Chai, LaekeeperRace 10: Naughty Knuckles, Show Far Show GoodWeather, overcast; track, heavy10; rail out 3m
M4 Wellington RCRidersRace 1: Sparcling Thyme - Dylan TurnerRace 4: Da Beast - Rebecca Goldsbury (a2)Race 7: Maybe Miami - Terry MoseleyScratchingsRace 4: Wawrinka, HoskinsWeather, cloudy; track, heavy10; rail out 3m
M7 Winton HRCDriver:Race 6: Great Abbey - Shane WalkinshawScratchingsRace 2: Midnight CowboyRace 5: The High RollerRace 6: Pegasus Kommander, Shiney PrincessRace 7: Fleeting GrinRace 8: Pegasus Kommander, Shiney Princess
