Jason Thomas celebrates in style

By Dave Di Somma - Harness News Desk

A flamboyant finish line flourish told the story for Jason Thomas.

The young trainer-driver had just won with a first start trotter Martha Stuart that he’d had “from day dot”

“It was really special.”

To make it even sweeter the victory at Addington on Sunday in the Non-winners 3YO+ MR46 to MR50 event (2600 metres) was his first winning drive since 2014 when he was still a junior driver.

These days his “good mate” John Dunn is his go-to driver though on Sunday he was committed to his own horse and favourite Yuri who ended up running second to Thomas.

“It was cool because we have a great group of owners, there’s dad (Ian Thomas), Nick Vertogen, Jed and Greg McIntosh and Stu Dolamore, who’s been a big supporters of ours, so to have a good horse for them …”

Thomas had acquired the bay filly (Superfast Stuart – Dusky Wishes) from fellow trainer Bruce Negus as a yearling.

“It probably took us two and a half years to get her to the races so it’s been a while coming.”

It was Thomas’ second win in a week, after Dunn reined The Diva home at big odds ($31.60 and 8.30) the previous Sunday.

With 15 career wins as a driver and nine as a trainer, Thomas has a team of around a dozen in work at Charing Cross, a 45 minute drive from Christchurch where he leases facilities at Elrae Lodge. Next season he’ll go into partnership with his father.

“Dad does a lot of chiropractic work on the horses, specially the trotters with their bodies and muscles and joints.”

“It’s a big part of what we do.”

And more winners could be on their way, he’s looking forward to seeing two-year-old Evangalista in action, hoping she too can do a “Martha Stuart” on debut this Friday.