Owned by Judie Johnston (also the breeder), Craig Watkins and Paul Johnston, Rambaran took over the lead just past the half and powered away from the field and won by two and a half lengths in recording career win number 35 in 1:521. Earlier in the week there was a question mark as to whether Rambaran would even race this week.
"He had a bout of the colic mid-week," said Paul Johnston. "We treated him at home but couldn't get him right so we took him to Guelph University. He came back home on Thursday and has improved since."
As for the racing future of Rambaran, Johnston wasn't sure what the plans are.
" He doesn't owe us a thing," he said. "It's so much fun racing him. I just love him. He's my boy."
Johnston, son of trainer Dr. Peter Johnston, who like his dad is a veterinarian, remembers Rambaran as a youngster.
"I remember when I first sat behind him," recalled Johnston. "I got to sit behind him because he was a bad actor and dad didn't have a lot of faith in him. I told dad at the time that he was the best horse he's ever owned. I was right."
Tony Kerwood has been the regular driver of Rambaran throughout his career and was in the bike for the milestone win.
"He's been a great horse all along," said Kerwood. "He showed his class tonight."
With the win, Rambaran sits with $1,016,789 lifetime. He's now at 35-29-15 in 132 starts in his career. On the Woodbine/Mohawk circuit his record is 23-24-15 from 108 starts and has banked $744,039. For the past two years, Rambaran has been standing stud at Lilley Farms in Ontario. His oldest foals are now weanlings. In his first year as a stallion he bred 122 mares. Last year he bred 106 mares.
Canadian Breeders eliminations continue
Mohawk Racetrack hosted a pair of Canadian Breeders elimination races for the three-year-old pacing colts on Saturday, November 17.
Ton Of Diamonds took the opening elimination in a career and stakes record of 1:524. Mario Baillargeon drove the Albert Albert son to the win for trainer Ben Wallace and the Mottram Stable.
"He had the same sort of trip last week (finished third in OSS Super Finals) but didn't respond like he should have," said Baillargeon. "I think Ben (Wallace) gave him a wake up call this week and he came out and raced better tonight."
Go To Page: 1 2
