By Jonny Turner
Aveross Majesty’s love of grass tracks was on show when he surged back into his best form at Oamaru yesterday.
The trotter scored his third win in just four starts on the Oamaru grass when holding off a late challenge from Cody Banner.
As the horse’s owner, trainer and driver, Denis O’Connell should be taking most of the credit for the victory.
But he was quick to deflect praise as his Waikouaiti trotter returned to his best form on what is clearly his favourite track.
“He is a lovely horse, he is great to have a round and he loves the beach work we give him,” O’Connell said.
“He has got a great nature and he is a real credit to Andy Faulks and Bruce Negus who broke him in and got him going.”
Aveross Majesty charged out of the pack before holding out Cody Banner, who is also beach trained just up the road at Katiki.
O’Connell clearly got his driving calculations spot on to register his first driving win since October of 2020.
“I thought I might have gone a bit early.”
“He started well today and everything just worked out perfectly for us.”
All six of Aveross Majesty’s wins have come on grass tracks with the trotter also saluting at Methven, Motukarara and Cromwell.
Though the horse clearly thrives on turf, O’Connell thinks it is the surface’s effect on Aveross Majesty’s rivals that is the key to his success.
“He just seems to love the grass, I think it takes the speed out of some of the others which helps him.”
“He is not flat-out chasing them the whole way.”
Aveross Majesty will have plenty more chances to strut his stuff on grass over summer, with his owner-trainer to target upcoming grass track meetings.
Drivers behind horses from Ken Barron’s stable wore black armbands at yesterday’s Oamaru meeting following the passing of respected Southland trainer Ron Barron.
Barron, the father of trainers Clark, Ken and Tony Barron and grandfather of reinswoman Ellie Barron, enjoyed a successful career in harness racing, producing his first winner at Gore in 1979.
Barron won 133 races in his own right and another 38 in partnership with Tony.
Makarewa Sun and Incredible Fella, a former Southland Horse of the Year, are among the best performers for the trainer, who also made a big contribution to the administration of the sport in Southland.
