Trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith has been desperate to win a race with Wigglesworth but he would have settled for half a win at the Sunshine Coast.
Wigglesworth ($4.60) was three lengths clear at the 150m mark but held on to beat Graveville ($9.50) by a nose in Wednesday’s Benchmark 70 (1000m).
It was a deceptive finish that had most people believing it was a dead-heat or that Graceville had got up in the last stride.
Mayfield-Smith would have been happy with a dead-heat but breathed a sigh of relief when Wigglesworth’s number went into the winner’s frame.
The gelding is owned by a group of sporting people including former Souths and Queensland half back John Salter, and Easts cricket doyenvEvan Bancroft.
Wigglesworth had won three previous races but been minor placed six times.
“He has been fourth and fifth more than a few times as well. They are a good bunch of blokes and women and I was keen to win another race for them,” Mayfield-Smith said.
“There is a real sporting connection with them and Wigglesworth was bred by the former Souths doctor Randy Jackson who has had a few good horses.”
Mayfield-Smith said Wigglesworth had been unlucky in his recent races and had sustained a slight injury at his previous start.
Fellow trainer Steve O’Dea continued his winning run with north Queensland owner breeder Joe Rapisarda when Idalia’s Dream ($1.60) won a maiden (1400m).
Rapisarda has been a great supporter of O’Dea and they have had dozens of winners in the past 15 years.
Idalia’s Dream had run minor placings at his previous five starts.
“He still needs to mature a bit but now he has won he might go on with it,” stable spokesman Matt Hoysted said.
