O'Reilly's big day rewarded with Addington win

By Jonny Turner

Sarah O’Reilly’s commitment to harness racing paid off when American Me ran to victory at Addington on Friday night.

The pacer dived along the passing lane to score in in his first start for the Brent and Tim White stable.

O’Reilly drove in nine of the ten races at Winton on Friday afternoon before flying back to Christchurch to drive a further four horses at Addington.

It was the first time the junior driver had competed at two meetings in the same day.

The situation gave O’Reilly the chance to test herself and she was clearly up for the challenge.

“I just like pushing myself to the limit – it was quite a big day.”

“I had drives in every race except one down south and even though I didn’t have too much luck it was worth the effort to go down there.”

“I was always going to come back to Addington and it worked out well getting the win with American Me.”

O’Reilly admitted she hadn’t fully thawed out when she got back to Christchurch after driving in wet and cold conditions at Winton.

Though it didn’t stop her from producing a gem of a drive behind American Me.

The pacer didn’t look a big winning hope when three back on the inner on the home turn, but O’Reilly weaved a passage for the pacer to make his winning run along the passing lane.

“He has always been a nice horse, he has been in the Country Cups grade for a long time.”

“There was a bit of speed on which suited him and once he got the gap he kept coming.”

“As I said he’s always been a nice horse and it was good for him to be able to get the win.”

O’Reilly wasn’t the only trainer or driver to feature at both Winton and Addington.

Brad Williamson produced two wins as a driver on the Winton card before notching a training victory with Domination’s Call at Addington.

Phil Williamson was also in the winner’s circle at both meetings, producing Majestic Love for a Winter Rewards victory before his first starter Empire City for a debut victory at Addington.