Was that David Moss? No, it was Styrax.
Wild weather and flooding made for an unusual lead-up to yesterday’s harness racing 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 the opening race.
After having only driven six times in the past four seasons, Tony Stratford did a beautiful job of rating the mare in front.
The Gore reinsman stepped in for Craig Ferguson, one of several drivers stranded in Canterbury.
Stratford had Styrax in front and by the time they reached the 600m, they were about 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.
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 the victory for trainer Gay McClymont was not.
Stratford 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 [a stewards’ assessment] 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.
"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 the 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 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, it was a little short of the 41-length win by David Moss at Ascot Park in 1991.
However as far as maiden wins go, it looks awfully hard to challenge.
