Popular harness racing figure Alan Wilson was remembered at Forbury Park yesterday.
The 63-year-old Queenstown motelier went missing on Friday.
The Police National Dive Squad recovered a body from Frankton Marina, where Wilson kept his boat, yesterday and a formal identification process has begun.
Wilson had a lengthy involvement as a breeder, owner and trainer in Otago and Southland. His family are also keen participants.
Driver Matthew Williamson wore a black armband in remembrance yesterday.
"It is very sad. He was a great guy who loved his racing," Williamson said of Wilson.
Williamson won two races. He scored with Fanny Hill to win race 1 and Whatasista in race 4.
Fanny Hill produced a huge last 400m to edge out Superfast Ninja. The latter led by at least six lengths at the 500m, while Fanny Hill was back in the pack dodging galloping runners.
Once clear, the Phil Williamson-trained trotter scorched after her rival and nailed her on the line.
Whatasista was also a narrow winner, clinging on to beat Larch by a head.
In the next race, Waikouaiti warhorse Alexy added to his lengthy list of racing experiences with a dead-heat victory.
The judge could not split Alexy and Ivana Legacy across the line.
The joint win was the sixth in the well-travelled Alexy’s extraordinary career and came in his 221st start.
He is only 21 starts off what is believed to be the New Zealand record for all-time starts. 1970s pacer Scotleigh had 242 starts before his retirement.
The way Alexy was feeling in his work suggested that retirement was not in the 9yr-old’s immediate future, trainer Denis O’Connell said.
The owners of Ivana Legacy continue to cash in on their $1000 outlay for their mare.
Her victory was the 5yr-old’s third in 12 starts for Invercargill trainer Shannon Armour.
