By Brigette Solomon
Morrinsville based trainer Ross Paynter scored his 100th trotting winner last night when Pantani scored a stylish win to take out The Alex Bar & Eatery Handicap Trot.
“He’s always been a nice horse and shown plenty but was a bit of a big kid” said Paynter “He’s been gelded since he raced last year too which has done him the world of good.”
The three year old by Father Patrick started from the unruly position on the front line and quickly mustered into a solid trot to take the lead over Santapazienza. It was smooth sailing from there for Pantani with driver Todd Macfarlane unchallenged in front and drawing away from the field to score an easy victory by 3.5 lengths with Emily Bay and Santapazienza filling the placings.
“We Bred and own Pantani, who is out of Sagan, a granddaughter of Cipollini and it’s been a really good family for us” says Paynter, who races Pantani alongside his brother Howard, niece Taylor Pereira, and friends Bevan and Sherryn Paterson.
Pantani was Paynter’s first starter for the year having spent the first few months of the year in Sweden, with his partner Asa, a Swedish national, and two daughters. The family are in the process of relocating to Sweden permanently.
“It was a great night as just after Pantani being my 100th trotting winner, Asa rung to tell me my Swedish Visa had been approved so in a couple of months I’ll be heading back to rejoin the family” says Paynter “Over the next couple of months before I leave, I’ll continue to race Pantani and You Little Beauty and should have some fun with them.”
Another trotter scoring a dominant win was Matty A, who took out the Reharvest Handicap Trot, for Kumeu trainer Sheryl Wigg. It was the Dream Vacation geldings third successive win, once again leading from start to finish, this time driven by Andre Poutama.
“I’ve always thought a lot of him, and I think he’ll get better yet with racing” says Wigg “He’ll hopefully race in the North Island Winter Rewards next month and then we’ll assess where to from there.”
The five year old gelding has now had five wins from just nine starts.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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