TEARS OF JOY FOR SUTHERLAND

HANDY performer Playnserious is likely to have his next start at Albion Park after taking out the Thankyou Volunteers Pace at the Tamworth last Friday.

Manilla reinswoman Courtney Sutherland partnered the son of Shadow Play in what was perfect debut with the gelding.

Playnserious handed young Sutherland her third win, which was well received – not only by Sutherland – but paying $8.20 for the punters.

“It’s good to get some outside drives and Gary (Litzow, trainer) gave me a chance to take the drive” said Sutherland, who helps her father Chris with his team.

Miss Catalina from the Lola Weidemann stables opened as the favourite and headed the field from barrier two, while Sutherland settled Playnserious outside the leader from four.

Playnserious was sitting just off the pace as the bell sounded and as the field made their way into the back straight on the final occasion Sutherland placed the pressure on Miss Catalina before assigning a gap on the field.

“Bloody oath it was a tough run,” Sutherland said. “Gary told me the horse was working well so we thought we would give it a shot and we got the money.”

Playnserious made light work of the 150-metre long straight with a seven-metre win from Hayabusa Flyer, with Jedi Superstar a half-head away third.

Even though Playnserious was moving away from his opposition, Sutherland was counting every stride the gelding took.

“I had tears rolling down my eyes I was so excited,” Sutherland declared. “I was told he would hang on the turns, so I had to hold him out a bit, but coming down the home straight I just had a handful of running”

“It was a “cold” drive, but I have heard a lot about him. He can pull and he can buck, but he didn’t put his bucks in today.”

Playnserious notched up his sixth win from 26 starts with a rate of 2.00.5 for 1980 metres.

Courtney Sutherland came within a whisker of driving her first double when Jax Teller – trained by Chris – was beaten a half-head by Somemondosomewhere.