Following their horse at the Woodville/Pahiatua Racing Club's meetings has been something of a religion for two syndicate owners and on Sunday they were back again.
Yvonne McNamara and Kathy Douglas of Palmerston North are regulars on the course, following their horse Neat Belt. But before the race, the odds of Neat Belt making another race meeting weren't looking good.
"He's a plodder and it's likely to be his last hurrah here today because he's something of a lazy Willie," Ms McNamara told the Dannevirke News.
"We've got someone interested in him as a showjumper, so that's his fate if he doesn't do well, but although he's been a bit burly, he's lost 10kg for today's race. "
Ms McNamara and friend, Ms Douglas, are members of a syndicate which has already acquired a new, two-year-old horse, so things weren't looking rosy for Neat Belt.