Jack Watson may have been missing from the sulky at Friday night’s Hobart harness meeting, but he found another way to be in the winner’s list, as the owner of Shaun To The Max who won the up to 39 rated pace over 2090m.
Rodney Ashwood took the reins on the Juanita McKenzie trained pacer, where he drove a confident race on the $12 chance.
The gelding proved too tough late after racing outside the leader to score by a neck over Cardinal Sin ($8.50) and Lou Lous Allgold ($3.10 fav).
“The race was run perfectly to suit him, as he is a one-paced horse that likes to bowl along.
“Most of the races he has been in, they have only been walking and sprinting home, which is not his go,” Watson said post-race.
“We changed a few things at home, we backed off his work and gave him a light week, and it has paid off,” the owner added.
Watson purchased the gelding in August 2022 and drove the pacer in many trials to gain his race day license, and he was also able to drive his first winner on the gelding in March 2023.
“I saw him for sale and bought him, and he had a Tasbred bonus that had to be won back then,” recalled Watson.
Watson could not take the winning drive after being sidelined from the sulky after a fall the week prior, but he will be back in action at the trials in Hobart on Monday night.
“I got a couple of small tears in my calf muscle and some bruising, but I have come right now and will be back at the trials tonight (Monday),” the driver said.
