Brad Williamson (17), who has been race driving for four months, stunned punters when he reined 88-1 shot Motu Speedy Star to win the Waimate Cup yesterday.
Motu Speedy Star was having his second start for Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer after changing stables two months ago. The 7-year-old had been off the winning list since April last year, one of four races the Village Jasper gelding won in from the stable of Ian Cameron at Fernside, North Canterbury.
"Robin Wales [syndicate manager] offered me the horse as he felt a change of scenery might turn his form around," Latimer said.
Latimer had taken Jaspers Blue Jean for the same owner in May last year after the gelding had won two races for Cameron. Jaspers Blue Jean won two races within four months of changing stables and the gelding was then bought by the Latimer family.
It was the sixth driving win for Williamson, a brother of Nathan and Matthew and son of Phil, who have all made their mark as reinsmen.