Negus grabs double at Methven

By Jonny Turner

A winning double at Methven on Wednesday continued the fine form of the Bruce Negus stable.

Negus produced Knockshanbally to win race 8 before Paige went on to score in the trainer’s red colours in race 10.

A recent trip down south has turned around the form of Knockshanbally.

The pacer didn’t exactly hit the ground running in the spring, but placings at Wyndham and Oamaru within just four days of each other boosted the horse’s form.

Knockshanbally then capped his recent progress by winning at Methven for driver Sam Thornley.

“He's turned the corner; he was going terrible and he was on one way trip down south,” Negus said.

“But that trip changed our minds, he went really good and he hasn't stopped improving.”

“But I think is a Washington VC thing, I think it's why he was so popular - they did used to get better and keep improving.”

Knockshanbally is raced by John and Sandra Owens who also race another smart son of Washington VC in Corravally Star.

Corravally Star is set to do his future racing in Australia after winning 11 races in New Zealand when trained by both Negus and Regan Todd.

Paige showed her love of sprint racing and her best manners when sprinting to victory on Wednesday.

“She likes the sprint distance, and she probably prefers mobile,” Negus said.

“She's a little bit safer that way. But one day I think she'll strengthen up.”

Being a mere youngster in trotting terms, there is still more improvement to come in Paige.

“She is only four and even though she had a few starts, she took a long time to trot away early on in the career. “

“But now she got her head around that, she's away.”

Paige is raced by her trainer and wife Colleen, alongside Colin and Julie DeFilippi.