Wigg scores second trifecta at Alexandra Park

[Wandering Eyes]

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

It’s hard enough for a small stable to get a trifecta, let alone two in the space of a month, but that’s exactly what Sheryl Wigg has achieved.

The Kumeu horsewoman trained a trifecta just over a month ago at Alexandra Park and repeated the feat at the Auckland track on Friday when steering Frankie Jones to a comfortable seven length victory in the Autumn Trotting Carnival Fri 23 & 30 April Mobile Pace (2700m).

Wigg urged the six-year-old gelding forward off the gate to take an early lead over stablemate Kayla Maguire, who enjoyed the trail throughout. But Frankie Jones proved too strong and opened up a significant margin turning for home, nullifying the passing lane.

Kayla Maguire was able to hold on to second, while Mighty Monica ran home late to secure the stable trifecta.

Wigg was delighted to get the result and said reining home the victor was an added bonus.

“I got it (trifecta) a couple of weeks ago as well, but to do it again was great.

“It’s hard enough to win let alone get the first three home, so it was excellent.

“When I got the last trifecta I got second (driving), so I pulled the right rein this time in picking the right horse.”

Despite a series of unplaced runs, Wigg was confident in Frankie Jones’ chances heading into Friday after he had pleased her with his work at home.

“I didn’t think he could get beaten,” she said. “He has been training unbelievably well.”

A great supporter of the amateur racing scene, Wigg said it plays an important part in northern harness racing, particularly in Auckland.

“It pulls a lot of people into racing and punters love us, they like to have a bet,” she said.

“Alexandra Park have just been unreal putting these races on for us. They are using their brain because they need horses and these horses would be down in Cambridge otherwise, they are not Auckland horses. But with amateur racing they have got another field.”

While Wigg is in her seventh season of driving, this is her first season in the training ranks after taking over partner Tim Vince’s stable earlier this year.

“I am loving it. I didn’t think I was going to, but I am really enjoying it. It’s a new challenge for me,” she said.

“Tim was starting to think he had enough and he said to me ‘how about you have a go?’ and I grabbed it with two hands.

“I only got my license a month ago, but my goal is to get 10 wins this season.”

While amateur horses make up the bulk of her barn, Wigg said she is excited about the prospects of a number of the stable’s younger talent, particularly a Vincent yearling filly Vince bought as a weanling out of Alabar Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Standardbred All Age Sale for $23,000.

“I have got a really lovely Vincent filly that I am hoping to get black-type with next year,” Wigg said. “She is out of Alta Serena and I hold her in high regard. She has got the x-factor.”

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