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Special Gold equals season’s fastest time

Lee and Sergio Raynor’s stallion Special Gold and driver Kiwon Waldron equalled the season’s fastest time at Vesey Street at the weekend (File photograph by Ras Mykkal)

Special Gold equalled the season’s fastest time with driver Kiwon Waldron at the helm during harness racing at the National Equestrian Centre on Friday night.

Lee and Sergio Raynor’s stallion posted a 1:02/2 on the way to winning the second, and final, heat in the Free for All division.

It is the second time in three weeks that Special Gold has achieved the mark, which he shares with rival War Machine.

“He equalled the fastest time of the season again and hopefully faster times are to come,” said co-owner, former cricketer Lee Raynor Jr.

“We just have to be patient because we still have a way to go until the first weekend in March. We just have to stay to the wicket and he’ll perform.

“He’s doing well. I am pleased and Kiwon is pleased, so hopefully good things are to come.”

Driver Waldron was also impressed with the outing.

“His performance was better than last week and he’s going in the right direction,” Waldron said.

Mello Family’s seven-year-old gelding War Machine was not among the field and the overall track record of 1:01/1 is held by Tyler Lopes's retired mare, Google Me.

Also impressing was Bellhaven Stables gelding Smart Machine and trainer/driver Candyce Martins, who got a second leg out of the 1:09/1 and slower division to move up to the next time bar.

“Smart Machine really impressed me with his performance last week,” Martins said.

The female driver also enjoyed success in the Free for All after guiding Bellhaven Stables mare Double Time to victory in the opening heat in the division.

“I am very impressed with both Double Time and Smart Machine,” she added.

Also advancing from his time bar was Bellhaven Stables’ other gelding SomeGoldSomewhere after getting a second leg out of the 1:04/1-1:06/1 time bar, with 16-year-old driver Teshi Zuill in the sulky.

“I was impressed with his performance and he felt really good,” Zuill said.

“I knew he had it in him and I am looking forward to competing in the Free for All with him.”

Zuill was also at the helm of Bellhaven Stables stallion Reel Desire who got a leg out of the 1:08-1:09 time bar with a lifetime best of 1:06/4.

“He also felt good and feel him progressing every weekend ,” the driver said.

“He tied his lifetime best and I feel that he can go faster.”

It was also a memorable night at the track for Ryan Manders, whose gelding A Touch of Red got a leg out of the 1:06/2-1:07/4 time bar with Waldron at the helm.

“He was sharp,” Waldron said.

“I really didn’t do much. His regular driver and trainer, Kamali Tucker, got him to that point.”

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Published January 16, 2024 at 7:59 am (Updated January 16, 2024 at 7:59 am)

Special Gold equals season’s fastest time

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