She’s Tough, too tough in Kawatiri Cup

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Brad Mowbray will be sure to have starters on the West Coast more often after taking out the Kawatiri Cup (2600m) with She’s Tough at Westport on Friday.

It was the first time the Leeston horseman has campaigned a horse on the other side of the alps and he was delighted to make a winning start.

“I have never been (to the West Coast), that is the first horse I have even sent so it was great to get the win,” Mowbray.

She’s Tough made a flyer from the stand to take an early lead, however, she soon found herself three back on the markers.

Driver Kimberley Butt didn’t panic and bided her time before a gap presented itself down the home straight which she quickly took advantage of and She’s Tough showed a good turn of foot to get up for a neck victory over Copperhead Rose.

“She does have that turn of foot and it was good to see her get the win today,” Mowbray said.

“We had two of the favourites in front of us, which always makes it a bit easier because you know they are going to keep going.

“She had been going super races with no luck at all and today things went her way and she capitalised.

“Her manners from the stand helped, the first one out makes a big difference.”

The daughter of He’s Watching will now head to Reefton on Sunday, however, Mowbray hasn’t made any further plans with the mare.

“She will back-up on Sunday and we haven’t got anything set in concrete after that. We will just keep pottering away and find the right races for her,” he said.

With three horses racing at Ascot Park on Saturday Mowbray wasn’t able to be trackside on for the win, but he was cheering her home from the deep south.

Mowbray will line-up Rhyme N Reason in the Mossdale/Stella Frost Stakes Fillies and Mares Pace (2200m), while stablemates Major Cheddar and Almighty Clever will contest the Cruikshank Pryde/McCallums Drycleaning Mobile Pace (2200m).

“It will be the first time Rhyme N Reason is off the unruly for us,” Mowbray said.

“She has shown a bit of gate speed at the trials, so hopefully she can settle handy. She is a good eachway chance.

“The other two are pretty handy but they will be better off for the trip.”

Champion driver Blair Orange had a top day at Westport as well, with five winners. He won the first three with Magnitude, Eddie James, and Social Distancing and then was successful with Ultimate Bird (race 7) and Stanley's Rule (race 10).

Orange is on a real hot streak at the moment, having had five winners at Ashburton too on February 25.