New Zealand's world driving champion Mark Jones, and Kiwi trotting hero Lyell Creek have combined for a fitting farewell to North American harness racing.
Jones achieved a feat no North American driver could during the last two years when winning with Lyell Creek from the parked position in Tuesday's race.
The race,
at Woodbine racetrack in Canada, was Lyell Creek's North American swansong because he will return next month to New Zealand where he will continue his racing career.
The race was a C$55,000 ($68,000) open trot and was won in 1:54.2 seconds for the mile.
The drive was a long time coming for Jones, who earlier in the week had taken out the World Drivers' Championship, also staged in Canada.
Jones had put up his hand to drive Lyell Creek during his Australasian racing, but it never eventuated. Cousin Anthony Butt, who co-owns Lyell Creek, was always available for Lyell Creek, and Jones thought it may never happen.
"I just had to travel half way round the world to do it," he said from Canada.
Jones said he drove Lyell Creek to suit the toughness he is renowned for in the Southern Hemisphere.
"I kept out of it over the first quarter mile but they usually back off the second and third quarters here," Jones said.
"I moved him up and put some pressure on during this stage of the race."
Lyell Creek, at odds of nearly 20-1, held on by three-quarters of a length from Fulfilled Dreams.
Principal owner Graham Bruton, of Christchurch, was ecstatic after watching the race via the internet.
"Mark got him home. Lyell hasn't been able to win for the last two years after being parked like that," said Bruton.
The win would not change plans for Lyell Creek to return to New Zealand, he said.
"Money has nothing to do with it. I've squandered a lot of what he's earned anyway," said Bruton, who became famous for his wins on the punt and infamous for his losses.
"The time is right to bring him home while he is still on top of his game.
"What a way for him to go out over there."
Lyell Creek, who turns 10 today, won over US$1 million ($1.7 million) in two years of racing in North America.
His earnings stand at nearly $2.7 million from 54 wins.
- NZPA
