The star trotter, driven by owner Williamson’s oldest son Nathan Williamson in the young reinsman’s biggest win, defeated a quality field including runner-up Sovereignty, visiting from the North Island, in the second leg of the Barastoc Trotters Grand Circuit.

The six-year-old Sundon gelding charged to the front of the pack ahead of Sovereignty and driver Maurice McKendry and set the pace from around the 1800m mark, holding onto the lead to cross the line ahead of his rival by a neck, with Houdini Star and John Hay in third.

Clocking a winning time of 4:07.4 with a 2:04 mile rate, Springbank Richard ran sharp 300m and 400m sectionals in 59.6 and 28.6 respectively in an impressive out-in-front win.

Springbank Richard’s performance means he will most likely be aimed at the Australasian Trotting Grand Prix and Bill Collins Trotters Mile in Melbourne next month where he will come up against Chris Lang’s two powerful Victorian trotters Skyvalley and Sundons Gift.

The victory bought Springbank Richards’ record to 17 wins from 35 career starts and earnings of over $500 000 in prizemoney.

Hellers Smallgoods Dominion Race Results:

For many years, this has been the 31 year olds dream and after a 16 year career in Australian Harness Racing he has finally been able to achieve this goal.

The newly appointed race commentator never thought he would get the chance to call the NZ Cup but on the day, it was better than the Melbourne Cup.

The harness racing enthusiast was appointed as Trackside’s new commentator in Canterbury in June and really got the crowd going with his accurate and passionate calling of the Cup.

Originally from New South Wales, McNamara called for harness race meetings in Newcastle, Bathurst, Canberra and Goulburn as well as Harold Park, Penrith and Bankstown in Sydney.

Also known for calling thoroughbred meetings, McNamara currently holds a NSW stablehand licence and owns a number of horses.