Trains, training ... it's all in a day's work for Foxton's Paul Evans.
Yesterday the young train driver made off with the $10,000 Wanganui Cup with his 7-year-old Forever Loyal, who was having his 109th start.
With youngster Jay Abernethy in the sulky, he came with a well-timed run to head off
another outsider Nullarbor Song and well-backed Swaps for Cup glory.
Despite all those starts, Forever Loyal is sound as they come, says Evans.
"He eats everything up. He's very well, loves the beach training and I reckon he's got another 100 starts in him," he said.
Forever Loyal is Evans' only horse. He bought him in the South Island six months ago.
His next start will probably be the Otaki Cup in late January.
The bravest run of the Wanganui Cup was Thames visitor Wot The Owl, who was having his second run of the day. He set a solid tempo, was still in front 200 out, but weakened to fifth.
Mr Williams, the class horse of the Cup, was always well back. He was resuming after a three-year injury layoff.
Top reinsman triumphsTop reinsman Tony Herlihy reckons he hasn't been to Wanganui for a decade, but he made up for lost time with victory with young pacer Romantic Match in the fifth.
It may have only been a grass track meet but Herlihy feels the horse will go well on the all-weather surfaces.
"We brought him to Wanganui for the experience. I think he's got a bright future," said Herlihy.
Herlihy was out of the placings in the Wanganui Cup with favourite Tex Bromac.
Handy horseHandy name, handy horse. Cambridge's Nicky Chilcott scored a front-running win with favourite Handy Night in the sixth race.
The 7-year-old, a recent acquisition from the south, dug deep to hold out Arts Bo for a winning North Island debut.
Ringo's a starIt was a drum roll for Ringo Star in the fourth.
The former southerner, who was bought by Peter Scaife at Foxton after trialling well in the south, was a surprise favourite considering his poor form.
He was always travelling well and scored comfortably from an unlucky Aubee.
