By Duane Ranger (Courtesy of Recliffe Paceway)
“Follow the two- horse,” trainer Lynne Collins told Group One winning driver, Paul Diebert.
And even though Colombian Gold drew eight and opened up paying more than $100 to win, Diebert listened to the 65-year-old horsewoman, and did exactly that.
“I was going to position her three-pegs, and I’m glad I didn’t. Lynne’s advice was spot on. The horse felt super and nothing like a $126 chance,” Diebert said after steering the Collins trained Colombian Gold to victory in race three at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday night.
Colombian Gold was situated in the one-one position before Diebert let her loose at the top of the lane. They won by 4.9m with a 1:57 even mile rate.
The 7-year-old daughter of Stoneridge Regal and The Spurs A Flyin paid a whopping $126.50 to win (opened at $101) and $16.50 for the place.
It was the second time in just over two years (with Diebert in the bike) the unpredictable mare has paid more than $100 to win.
“I wasn’t surprised by this win at all. She felt good all week. I never take notice of the TAB odds. She has been at favourite odds before and lost and now here she is paying $126, and won easy.
“My partner (Dudley Webb) usually puts $10 each-way on our horses, but didn’t do it this time. That would have been a nice collect, but we are just happy winning the race. That’s her second on the track. She won here last month as well,” the Jimboomba horsewoman said.
Colombian Gold paced the 1,780m mobile in 2:08.5 and her sectionals were 28.4, 29.5, 29.3, and 31.2.
It was her 16th win in 124 starts. Colombian Gold (1:53.9) has also place 32 times and banked $75,039. Half of those wins came last season.
It was also the bay mare’s second win this season after Collins and Taleah McMullen won at Redcliffe on April 1. She drew five that day and her starting odds were $15.
Colombian Gold raced in New South Wales for her owner, trainer, breeder, and driver – Jason Proctor and Chris Watson.
“She won five races in a row at Redcliffe (two) and Albion Park last season and that was when she was at her peak. Back then I thought: ‘Wow what a girl!
“I bought her the first week in November 2018 off Chris Watson, and since then since then she’s had 96 starts for 13 wins and 19 placings,” Collins said.
Gary Gerrard trained her from September 2018 before Collins took over in October last year. Gerrard got her from C. M. Watson, who in turn got her off original trainer, M. L. Osborn (both NSW).
“We have always trained our horses together and helped transport them to and from the races. Gary has been really busy lately so the horses are back in my name. It works out well,” Collins said.
Colombian Gold is the second and so far, the most successful foal so far out of The Spurs A Flyin, who was exported to Australia in December 2006 as an unraced 3-year-old.
She is owned by Collins and was bred by Proctor.
Collins was born in Sydney and relocated to Queensland 30 years ago.
“I wasn’t born into a harness racing family but learnt to ride at a very young age and attended all the shows. My daughter and son did all the shows as well, then I thought driving can’t be harder than riding, so I gave the trots a go,” said a modest Collins, who didn’t like having her photo published said.
The record books show that Collins has trained a handful of winners since taking out her trainer’s license in the 2008-2009 season, but there would be a lot more if you counted her wins in Gerrard’s name.
“I’ve really enjoyed training horses over the years, and this one (Colombian Gold) has been my best. I actually wanted to breed from her at the end of that season but Dudley suggested I keep racing her.
“I’ll probably put her to a stallion at the end of this season, but haven’t decided which one yet,” said Collins, a former accountant said.
She currently has two other pacers in work. They are the one-win pacer, Don’t Yoube Naughty and the maiden pacer, Wedding Night.
Colombian Gold has drawn two (of six) in the 19th heat of Trot Rods 2021 Series at Redcliffe Paceway this Wednesday night. The 10 races are over the 947m mobile sprint journey.
Meanwhile, Group One-winning driver, and Diebert last year’s inaugural Trot Rods champion (With the Band), Paul Diebert, said Colombian Gold felt like a favourite rather than a despised outsider.
“She felt awesome and I really enjoy driving for Lynne. She’s a lovely lady and loves a day at the races. I’m glad I took her advice, because she was spot on.
“I definitely would have settled on the pegs if I was to call the shots. It was solid advice. Lynne knows the horse inside and out,” Diebert said.
The 26-year-old was sidelined just over two months ago with a serious bout of glandular fever which put him on the sidelines for six weeks.
He said he had fond memories of Colombian Gold.
“That’s twice I’ve won behind her now and she’s paid more than $100 to win. I remember winning behind her when Gary trained her about two years ago at Redcliffe (April 4, 2019). She drew four that day and opened up paying $101 to win as well,” Diebert said.
“The mare has been kind to Lynne and I, but not always the punters,” he added.
