May's day blows away race rivals

Leading reinsman Ricky May owned his Methven home track yesterday, walking away with a winning treble – including the feature race with Second Wind.

The New Zealand Cup-winning driver has been in sensational form this season.

As well as Second Wind, May saluted the judge with Balishka and Justakiwiboy.

However, it was Second Wind's victory that had tongues wagging, with the Dream Away gelding destroying his opponents and continuing his march towards open-class ranks.

Trained in Ashburton by Simon Adlam, Second Wind has stepped up in recent months.

Yesterday's Methven Green Mile win followed the four-year-old gelding's Geraldine Cup success a fortnight ago.

For Adlam, it is an exciting run with a horse he thinks may be his best.

"He just keeps getting better every time," Adlam said.

"I guess he has to be close to the best I have trained.

"I have had a few that have won a few races but in terms of future, this guy has to be close to the best."

It was win No7 from 10 starts yesterday – and more than $59,000 in stakes from just one racing season.

After drawing handy on the frontline, it was a case of rolling to the front and running along.

When May asked for a bit extra at the top of the straight, Second Wind gave plenty – scooting away by four lengths.

Slash An Burn chased hard for second, while Cullen's Creek was third.

May's win with Balishka was a special moment for Brad Mowbray, who was registering his first win as a trainer.

However, Mowbray is no stranger to training horses.

He was the travelling strapper for former New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Changeover.

A four-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover and Fun And Laughter, Balishka has come along in leaps and bounds of late.

She backed up her stylish second last start in Invercargill with a convincing win yesterday over the improving Hot Wired, with It Is Mee third.

- © Fairfax NZ News