Topaz caps off big week for McDermott

[Wandering Eyes]

By Mike Love 

Prebbleton trainer John McDermott just had his most successful week as a trainer with three winners saluting the judge. 

“It’s a very big thrill,” said McDermott. 

The hat trick of wins for the week was completed yesterday with Topaz at Ashburton in Race 8, the We’ve Got The Trots Syndicate mobile pace. 

“She was quite disappointing on Friday at Addington. I wasn’t really sure how she would back up.”

Topaz, with driver Wilson House, began well from their ace barrier draw holding on to secure the trail behind pacemaker Spiritual Bliss. House then elected not to wait for the passing lane, coming out and around at the top of the straight to cruise to the line not moving a muscle in the sulky. Seemingly effortlessly she produced a 57.6 final 800m and 28.4 400m.

“Wilson said she just jogged it – did it really easy.

“The 1980m mobiles at Addington don’t really suit her like the 2400m or 2600m do.”

Six-year-old American Ideal mare Topaz is raced by McDermott and wife Christine and made it career win number nine with over $100,000 in stakes. 

McDermott’s other two wins came earlier on in the week at Addington with He’s Santa’s Excuse and Lily’s A Star. 

“He’s Santas Excuse was not too expected,” said McDermott of the win. 

“It was a brilliant drive by Robbie (Close). He has no speed so Robbie just rolled along and they were able to hold on.” 

While Lily’s A Star, like He’s Santas Excuse, paid double figure odds, McDermott was a little less surprised with her victory. 

“I actually think she’s quite a nice horse when she gets it her way. I expected her to go well on Wednesday.”

McDermott has now trained 68 six winners and won over $1 million in stakes. 

After a few more targets with the team, McDermott will be sending most of his team to the paddock for the winter. 

“I’ll be heading to Addington this week for the Canterbury Plains Final, but most of them will have the winter off as Christine and I are heading over to the UK for a holiday in June and July.” 

View the full article