By MIKE DILLON
It took Peter Hollinshead 20 years to get square for his former champion mare Judena, but he reckons the wait was worth it.
Hollinshead won Saturday's $35,000 Taumarunui Cup with Just There, his only previous runner in the race being Just There's granddam Judena.
"Judena was beaten by Dave O'Sullivan's horse Heidelberg and I swore I'd get even by winning the race one day, but it's taken its time coming around," said Hollinshead.
It did not look like being this year, either.
Just There was declared an emergency runner at acceptances and Mark Sweeney, who has ridden the horse all campaign, jumped onto Te Awamutu Cup winner Hangover Harry when Michael Walker decided to ride at Hawera. The mount was taken by Aaron Wheadon.
Sweeney was quick to swallow his disappointment and was the first to congratulate Hollinshead.
"You're about as good at picking them as I am at backing them," said Hollinshead, who two races later legged Sweeney aboard Exploding Song with magical results.
Hollinshead admitted when acceptances were declared he was not too disappointed at the prospect of Just There missing the race.
"I was going to take him instead to Ellerslie next Saturday, which I felt would suit him even better than this race. I'm pleased that did not turn out to be the case."
Hollinshead is pleased to be winning anything with a horse he had no great hopes for a year or so ago.
"If someone had told you 12 months ago this horse could win a Taumarunui Cup you'd have laughed at them.
"I suppose he was always going to get stronger and I think he'll probably be a better horse again with another year on him."
Racing: Card all square decades on
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