Cherokee’s Ironman lived up to his name after clinching the most coveted title up for grabs during the New Year’s Day Stakes Races at the Bermuda Equestrian Centre.

Arnold Manders’s gelding won the Aged Stakes title awarded to the pony with the fastest average time on the day with driver Tyler Lopes at the helm.

Cherokee’s Ironman also equalled its best showing for the season and the season’s fastest time en route to the title to give Lopes a maiden stakes victory.

“All four ponies in the Aged division ran one of their qualifying races on Boxing Day in a 1:03/3 or 1:03/4, so we knew it would be a close final come New Year’s Day,” Lopes said.

“Ironman felt the best he’s felt all year. He ran the first heat of the final in a 1:03/3 which matched his fastest time on the track here in Bermuda that he did on Boxing Day.”

Lopes refused to take the credit for Cherokee’s Ironman latest success.

“The credit has to go to his owner and trainer Arnold Manders,” Lopes said. “He puts in a tremendous amount of time with Ironman to keep him at full fitness and make sure he’s always ready to go.”

Roque Family’s stallion, GV Crystal Ball, finished runner-up behind Cherokee’s Ironman, with Full Throttle Racing’s mare, IC’s Shakedown, rounding off the podium.

Simsfield Hardtimes won the three-year-old stakes title which was awarded to the pony with the fastest average time from both the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Stakes races.

Guiding the Simsfield-owned stallion to victory was driver Ryan Burrows with second and third going to Whited Family’s mare, IC’s Overextended, and Burrows Family’s stallion, Royal Caribbean.

Claiming the stakes title for four year olds — also awarded to the pony with the fastest average time from both the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day stakes races — was Full Throttle Racing’s mare, Pocket de Gold, with driver Philip Correia in the sulky.

Rounding out the podium finishers in the four-year-old division was Andy Stoneham’s stallion, Custard the Dragon, and Manders’s gelding, Touch of Red.

Harness racing continues at Vesey Street on Sunday with the finals of the Best-of-Three Series. Post time is 12pm.