Ascot Park owner-trainer-breeder Bill McNamara scored his biggest win in racing when Maximus Augustus took out the $200,000 ODT Southern Mile Final (1600m) at Wingatui on Saturday.
McNamara has only five horses in work and saddled his first winner with Lily Of The Valley in February of 2022.
He added three wins in the 2022-23 season, six in 2023-24 and two in the first seven months of the current term.
Going into Saturday, he had saddled a total of 164 starters for 12 winners, 27 placegetters and overall earnings of $295,085.
Saturday’s big win added $115,000 to that tally.
Maximus Augustus went into the Southern Mile Final somewhat under the radar at a quote of +1300, but came out on top with an outstanding performance.
“It’s a huge thrill, and especially since I bred him too,” McNamara said.
“He’d been racing really well leading into the race. I was confident we had him as good as we could get him, we’d drawn well (gate one), and Sam Wynne is just on fire, isn’t she? So we had a few things in our favour.”
Wynne also took out Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) aboard Loftys Gift, and she guided Airpark Hustler and Perfect Scenario to second placings in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1600m) and Group 3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m) respectively.
Wynne got Maximus Augustus to settle into a smooth rhythm in fifth along the rail, then moved away from the fence just before the home turn.
While others ran into traffic trouble in the straight, Wynne found her way into clear air out in the centre of the track and asked Maximus Augustus to quicken.
He showed a good turn of foot and soon drew up alongside the topweight Treybon, edging ahead of him in a hard-fought final 100m to win by three-quarters of a length.
“It was a good field today, so it was great to see him do that,” McNamara said.
“We just love him. He’s a great-natured horse and absolutely lovely to have around the stable. He’s so easy to work and everyone who rides him just loves him. I’ve got no idea what’s next for him now, but this is a great result.”
Maximus Augustus has now had 29 starts for four wins, five placings and $175,990 in stakes.
He is by War Decree out of the O’Reilly mare Sherenzo, who was a $4000 broodmare purchase from the 2016 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.
“He’s out of an O’Reilly mare that my brother bought for me at Karaka,” McNamara said.
“This is her second foal. We’ve got a really nice full-sister who’s a two-year-old at the moment as well, so it’s very exciting.”
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