By Jonny Turner
Personal triumph was the last thing on Jonny Cox’s mind as Pinseeker delivered a powerful victory in the Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Cup yesterday.
Cox lowered his head before crossing the line with his brilliant pacer, in a nod to his partner Kimberly Butt’s grandfather, the former master trotting trainer Dick Prendergast.
Prendergast was in hospital and surrounded by his family with the Gore Cup playing in the background as the feature event was run.
Prendergast would pass away just a matter of minutes later, making Cox’s victory even more special.
“Kim’s mum Karen (Prendergast) and the whole family have done a lot for us,” Cox said.
“If we could do it, I wanted to dedicate this win to Dick.”
“It is pretty emotional, to be honest.”
“I found out afterwards that he passed away with the whole family there by his side and they had the race playing for him earlier on.”
Prendergast was a highly regarded trainer, particularly of trotters, and among his many feature race successes, he produced Simon Katz to win the Group 1 Dominion with Kimberly Butt’s father Anthony in the sulky.
Prendergast’s colours can still be seen regularly across the South Island through Matthew Williamson’s team.
Prendergast had a strong connection with the Williamson family, with Phil Williamson having worked for the trainer.
Cox took no chances with Pinseeker, ensuring the pacer had every chance to run to his memorable victory.
The trainer-driver moved out of the one-one at the bell, heading to the lead before leaving his opposition in his dust.
“We have thrown him in the deep end more often than not and has never disgraced himself,” Cox said.
“It is never easy off 20m around Gore and I thought today would be our chance to put him in the race and see if he’s really as good as what we think.”
“He did a great job and I am super proud of him.”
Pinseeker’s win was a huge thrill for his ownership group, many of whom live near Gore or are originally from the area.
The star pacer is raced by Iain Wilson, Peter Brinsdon, Jason Wood, Bernie McKone ONZM, Phil Stephens, Logan Boersma and Gary May.
All of the group are keen golfers, which led to Pinseeker getting his name as a youngster.
“We have been pretty lucky with him, he has been a revelation for us,” Brinsdon said.
“It has been a bit of a surprise really because we didn’t pay a lot for him.”
“He is a big, overgrown horse and we have given him plenty of time and Jonny has done an amazing job with him.”
Gore’s Christmas meeting was a big day for the Brinsdon family with Peter’s brother Matt training Shezza Vinny to win race 6.
