by Mike Love
Johnny Mac produced an outstanding stayers performance to win the Westport Cup at Paterson park yesterday for Prebbleton trainer Michael House.
Johnny Mac was able to settle handy early for driver Wilson House from his front line draw. Electing to bring up the running line from the 2000 metres, House was able to find cover before being left parked again from the 600 metres when favourite Franco Marek worked to the lead. The pair broke away from the field with Johnny Mac outmuscling Franco Marek to win by a head from the fast finishing Homebush Lad who ran into second.
“I thought with a bit of luck we could get a wee bit of it but we had a lot of competition,” said Wilson House.
“Johnny’s runs at Palmerston North were both outstanding, and his training leading into the meeting was brilliant.”
Johnny Mac has now won 12 races and is closing in on $120,000 in stakes.
His win gave the House team a race to race double with Full Of Desire taking out the race beforehand.
House has had plenty of success in the sulky in recent times and has now won 47 races and over $630,000 in stakes.
“This is probably the biggest win of my career, and I know it means a lot to dad (Michael House) winning one of the coast circuit country cups because he grew up on the coast.
“Dad’s team has been in a purple patch of form recently. It’s a credit to him and his team behind him.”
The House team will line up 7 runners on day 2 of the meeting, with the first race set to get underway at 12.19pm tomorrow.
