The opening stage of the New Holland Trotting Series took place on Monday, March 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where Southwind Oncore secured a wire-to-wire victory to clinch the top prize of the $30,000 pot.
Under the guidance of Travis Cullen, the Jodie Cullen-trained Southwind Oncore surged from the seventh post to take the lead. The duo maintained strong fractions of :27.2, :56.4, and 1:25.2. Despite a late push from the favourite Pemberton, Southwind Oncore managed to hold on for a narrow triumph, crossing the line half a length ahead in a personal best time of 1:53. Pemberton settled for second place, while Franks Angel claimed the third spot.
Aged five, Southwind Oncore, a gelding owned by Travis Cullen, is the offspring of Muscle Hill and the Credit Winner mare Lima Oh So Sweet. This victory marks his third win in nine starts this season and his tenth overall in 37 career outings. Southwind Oncore has now amassed lifetime earnings of $167,065. As a surprise winner with odds of 16-1, Southwind Oncore paid out $32.90 for a win.
Following a subsequent $30,000 preliminary leg on Monday, March 18, the grand finale of the $60,000 New Holland Trotting Series is scheduled for Saturday, March 30.
In addition, two Pop-Up Series divisions for $8,000 claiming pacers were featured, each worth $9,000, on the Monday evening card. Savoir Duharas claimed the first division by a margin of 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3, with Travis Cullen steering for Corey Giles. The second division was taken by Royal Regatta, guided by James MacDonald for Rene Bourassa, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:55 at odds of $2.60.
The third leg of the Pop-Up Series is set for Monday, March 18, offering a $10,000 purse. The final, worth $18,000, and a $12,000 consolation race are scheduled for Monday, April 1.