Racing: Reasonable choice for driver

Beyond Reason is a good chance at Ashburton. Photo / Tayler Strong

Southland mare Tact Lizzie, upset winner of the Breeders' Stakes last year, has been retired.

"She was working good but racing poorly and there was no point in carrying on," Trevor Proctor, her Winton trainer, said.

Tact Lizzie is in foal to McArdle.

Meanwhile, East Otago horseman Matthew Williamson has chosen to drive Springbank Sam in the NZ Hambletonian at Ashburton on Saturday.

He had the choice between Springbank Sam and Beyond Reason, another 3-year-old in the Oamaru stable of his father, Phil.

Another of Phil's sons, Nathan, has been engaged for Beyond Reason. He drove Larix to an upset win in the Four-Year-Old Trotters Championship at Addington last Saturday.

"I had the choice.

"I don't think there is much between them. They are both good horses capable of measuring up against other good ones," Matthew said.

He drove Beyond Reason to a 12-length win on the grass at Oamaru on January 31, when the Sundon gelding was having his first start for the season. Matthew has driven Springbank Sam in three of his four wins, including his past two starts at Omakau and Invercargill.