THE perseverance of astute Leeton horseman David Lang was rewarded in fabulous fashion when problem-plagued pacer Seven Dreams romped home at the Young harness racing meeting on Sunday.
Cursed with a back injury that had caused several racetrack dramas, Seven Dreams finally lived up to his promise by streaking away with the Ambos Stock Feeds Lordship Pace (1700m).
Perfectly driven by Lang's son Ben, Seven Dreams ($1.90 favourite) comprehensively out-sped his rivals to lead all the way for a dashing eight-and-a-half metre victory from Bill Branach ($9.40).
The dominance of the win was further emphasised by Seven Dreams' slashing 1:58.3 mile rate, clearly the fastest of the meeting.
David Lang's wife Joy said Seven Dreams had been a serious frustration for the stable.
Recalling the time spent by her husband striving to get Seven Dreams to hit true form, she said the Aces N Sevens gelding was finally injury-free.
"He's (Seven Dreams) actually had a lot of problems," Joy said.
"He's had a sore back, which has been causing him to brake in his races.
"David changed a few things and it really worked out well today.
"When it comes to the crunch he (Seven Dreams) has a lot of ability."
David's decision to make adjustments to Seven Dream's racetrack livery certainly turned around the fortunes of the four-year-old.
Rather than show any bad habits, Seven Dreams was on his best possible behaviour.
Barely had the mobile barrier left the track when Seven Dreams swept to the inside from gate six, setting a fast tempo.
With Ben allowing the gelding to run along in front, Seven Dreams looked to have the measure of his rivals with as much as 800m to run.
Joy said it was no surprise that Seven Dreams had won so impressively.
"He's (Seven Dreams) always had the ability," she said.
"He looked pretty smart as a younger horse, but it's been a little bit frustrating."
Although regulars at harness racing venues across the Riverina, it was a rare trip, but successful to Young for the Langs.
Joy said her husband had earmarked yesterday's race as admirably suitable for Seven Dreams.
"He doesn't go to Young all that often," she said. "It all depends on where the right races might be."
Down the track in four starts from a long spell, Seven Dreams now boasts three wins in 16 starts, with his previous success at Leeton on New Year's Day in 2011. Leeton owners Mel Young and Jodie Ward also tasted success at Young with Browngirlintherain, trained by Shaun Snudden, winning the LW & EM Hunter Memorial Division 2.
- The Daily Advertiser