Owners get great return with Bowlem Over

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner

The Bowl A Bouncer Syndicate took a throw at the stumps and it keeps paying winning dividends.

The ownership group enjoyed their second win in three weeks when Bowlem Over produced a strong victory for trainer Robin Swain and driver Matthew Williamson at Winton on Sunday.

While he is clearly in brilliant form now, the six-year-old wasn’t at the top of his game through periods earlier this year.

When it was clear that something needed investigating, the Bowl A Bouncer Syndicate weighed up their options and decided to do what was best for the horse.

“He had a sinus issue and the vets had to go in and make a hole so it could drain,” syndicate member Jason McMath said.

“Brendan Bell did the operation and they took 120ml of gunk out.”

“There was a 50-50 chance of it working and the thought among the syndicate was that if it didn’t work and he wasn’t able to race at his best then it could still help him if he was retired as a hack.”

“We just tried to do the right thing by the horse and luckily it has worked out.”

It was Bowlem Over’s rivals who were gasping when he led throughout to score in a slick time of 2-56.8 for 2400m.

The victory was the pacer’s seventh of his career with six coming with Williamson in the sulky.

The Bowl A Bouncer Syndicate was formed during the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the group has enjoyed plenty of success since.

“Bill McDonald got the group together, he’s a great mate of Robin’s and was his neighbour,” McMath said.

“We have raced a few horses over the years and most of them have done a pretty good job.”

Ownership is just one part of McMath’s interest in harness racing.

McMath is a board member of Southern Harness who administer harness racing on behalf of Southland and Otago clubs.

The Invercargill accountant is enjoying being able to contribute to the sport in the south.

“It is great, it is a busy time of year with plenty of meetings on.”

“But I am enjoying it and it gets me more involved in the sport.”

McMath has another role in the industry, helping trainer Kirstin Green with her team.

“I love that side of it, it is great to get out and be around the animals.”

McMath has a share in one of the horses he works with at the Green stable in the highly talented trotter Mor Moonlight.

View the full article