Stephen McNally and the progeny of Rangatira seem to have a good thing going on.
The Motukarara horseman was in the winner's circle twice at Oamaru yesterday, firstly with Kingi Hone Kira, then, four races later, with Greenburn Creek.
Kingi Hone Kira is the fourth foal out of the Camelot mare. The first foal, Hone Heke, looked above average as a 2yr old, winning a sires' stake heat for Brian O'Meara before going amiss with a suspensory problem.
McNally has had a closer association with Ataahua Tiki, who won three when under his care, and Hikoi, who won both her races from his stables.
Kingi Hone Kira was well supported by punters, sent out as second favourite despite coming into the race with only trials runs under his belt after five runs over summer.
''Maybe the horse is just a bit bigger and stronger than he was,'' McNally said.
''Last time he got a bit crook and just couldn't get over it. It really knocked him round and he had a break and came back good.''
McNally was able to lead up before taking a trail behind Love That Guest and pacing clearly stylishly in the straight to win by 1 lengths over Snow Raker.
McNally expects to line up the son of McArdle sooner rather than later.
''He's had a long slow build up so that race shouldn't rock him around much,'' he said.
''He's got a bit of everything so hopefully he can carry on with it.''
McNally's second win came when he sent Greenburn Creek up the passing lane to win the c2 c3 pace.
The son of Live Or Die had not won since Methven in October 2013 when trained by Tim Butt.
Greenburn Creek won five races as a 3yr old, including a sires' stakes heat.
Close bloodlines also featured later in the card when the evergreen Live The Dream led home Give Me Strength in the feature trot.
Live The Dream's trainer, Donald Taylor, explained that Live The Dream's dam, Whispering Dream, is out of Give Me Strength's dam, My Dream.
Taylor said the rising 12yr old, who has now won 11 of his 91 starts, was showing no signs of wear and tear.
''He's as healthy and as fit as he's ever been,'' Taylor said.
''It was about five years ago when he had all the problems and his suspensory ligaments broke down.''
• Arran Chief certainly showed no ill effects from a short back up with his tough win in the c1 trot.
The 6yr old won the Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot on Friday in what was a special win for junior driver Jessica Young.
Leading reinsman Dexter Dunn was back on board yesterday and adopted similar tactics, taking the Sundon gelding to the lead shortly after the start and never falter ing.
• Two pacers with 183 combined starts ensured Weedons trainer Margo Nyhan won the trainer of the season award at Oamaru racecourse.
Nyhan was one point off Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson on the leaderboard going in to yesterday's meeting, but wins to Sonnetsson and Canndew secured Nyhan the prize of $500 worth of saddlery.
