SA Trots - Patience has been the key with Speedysebastian

PATIENCE has been the key to Speedysebastian according to trainer Lynton Bishop.

Unplaced upon debut last December, the four-year-old's five subsequent starts have netted three wins, including Globe Derby on Monday.

Rapt with the gelding, Bishop stated Speedysebastian's form has helped silence friends who gave him a "bit of ribbing" early in the trotter's preparation.

"I've had him for two years and have been patient with him, which is how I will continue to be," Bishop said. "Everything with him has been a work in process, which had a few jokingly telling me he won't race until he is eight with the way I am going!

"He developed a splint in his offside front leg as a two-year-old and then developed one on his nearside after that.

"Even recently he had a tendency to hang a bit, so I had him looked over and thankfully he was given the all clear.

"I also had a few problems getting his shoeing right, but once that was sorted he got his confidence and gets around Globe Derby alright."

With Angela Chapman in the cart, Speedysebatian was settled two-back in the running line from barrier six as Thunder Wing led from gate five.

Taken three-wide leaving the back straight, Speedysebastian sustained a strong sprint to score by seven-and-a-half metres from the front runner.

Bodybuilder was four metres away third in 2:01.9 over 1800 metres.

"I was a little concerned that he'd drawn the outside of the front as he had never been that wide and without one on his outside," Bishop said.

"Angela said he wasn't concentrating as well as he should at the start, but once he got going he was fine.

"He's still learning as he has only had six starts and this is his first preparation, but he is a very nice horse which has got a bit of ability and a good turn of foot."