IT was a day to remember for local horse owner, Peter Herrmann, when Clever Man saluted in the Mt Gambier Gold Cup on Friday.

Herrmann is a part-owner of the five-year-old gelding, as part of a syndicate with last week’s victory in the 2050m race the biggest win yet for the syndicate.

Herrmann said the owners and trainer were confident of a strong performance, despite the move up to a higher quality race.

“We were confident, but he jumped up in class a fair bit,” he said.

“He was racing well, so we thought we’d give him a go.

“This is his second prep for us, he has had 15 starts for us with four wins, four places and three thirds, so he is paying his way.

“Friday was his biggest win so far for sure.

“It is one of the best horses I have been involved with, heart wise, it just tries.”

The owner’s syndicate has 13 people with the majority from South Australia, but the Branxholme local has always had a passion for horses and has enjoyed being involved in the industry.

“I grew up with horses, my parents had a horse that twice ran in the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“I used to get to a lot, but COVID stopped all that.

“Even the Mt Gambier Cup, only limited numbers were allowed.”

Clever Man now holds a rating of 71 and will return to the track again at Mt Gambier in a few weeks before venturing further west to Adelaide’s premier racecourse, Morphettville.

The Trevor White-trained gelding has a half brother who has ran in the Melbourne Cup with Clever Man initially earmarked to be a jumps horse, but the impressive flats form has changed that plan.