By Tayler Strong
Temuka trainer, Brent White, who is in the zone after three wins at Forbury Park on Wednesday night, is now viewing the West Coast circuit.
“Wobbegong could be my best chance at Westport over the holiday circuit. He has not raced for a while but he has been performing at trials and workouts lately,’’ said White who won with Ultimate Fella, Bear’s Rest and Belmont Jet (on promotion) at Forbury Park. It was his first training treble on a programme.
Wobbegong, who has not raced since July 24, finished second to One Direction in a trial at Orari on December 17. One Direction is now trained by Regan Todd after winning two races for Riversdale trainer Shane Matheson.
The $14,000 Nelson Cup on January 15 is a possibility for Ultimate Fella, who led throughout and stalled of mother-to – be Beyond Belief by half a length in the C3-6 free-for-all. Beyond Belief (five wins) is in foal to Terror To Love and she will required to stand down after two or three more starts.
“We will look at the Nelson Cup with Ultimate Fella because he is owned there but he has an issue with standing starts,’’ said White.
Ultimate Fella is owned by Paul Kelly, of Nelson and Ross McCutcheon, of Temuka. Ultimate Fella credited Stephen McNally with his 400th winning drive. McNally drove his first winner, Fasta La Vista at Kaikoura in November, 1999. Fasta La Vista was trained by McNally’s father, Ray. Stephen has driven the winners of 63 races for White. The first was Cassino Woman at Washdyke in 2007. McNally has driven the winners of the 16 races trained by White this season.
Belmont Jet was promoted after the relegation from first to third of Lilac Flash for galloping in the last 50m. Lilac Flash, having his first start, was in front and the margins between the first three horses were half a length and a nose. Dexter Dunn, the driver of Lilac Flash, contested the relegation at a judicial hearing.
Belmont Jet is raced by Timaru veterinarian Donna Williamson. She bred Belmont Jet, the last foal and seventh winner left by Holmes Royale, a Holmes Hanover mare who won six races. Belmont Jet, a 4yr-old by Jereme’s Jet, was foaled when Holmes Royale was 23. Belmont Fire (seven wins) is the best of the progeny of Holmes Royale.
Williamson also bred the next winner on the card, the trotter Belmont Invasion.The son of Bacardi Lindy – Sheez Cameronz Pride, is owned and trained at Invercargill by 79-year-old Owen Lawrence.
He has been involved with standardbreds for 60 years. He assisted trainer Jim Ferguson, then based in Invercargill and trained his first winner, Our Angela at Wyndham in 1987. Archie Armour, now based on the Gold Coast, bought Belmont Invasion on behalf of Lawrence for $7000 at the premier yearling sale.
McCutcheon is also in the ownership of Bear’s Rest, winner of C0 trot from 30m. McCutcheon (known as Big Bear) races Bear’s Rest with his daughter Katrina Glass (Teddy Bear), Tim White (son of the trainer) and Jo Chapman. Bear’s Rest is a half brother to Trouble Rieu, who won eight races from the White stable before he was sold to the United States in June. He has won there.
“He (Bear’s Rest) is a big light framed horse so he will have a bit of time before his next race,’’ said White.
Regal Gesture, having his first start for trainer Graeme Anderson, was an impressive winner. He lost a handy position in the running and came from eighth at the 300m to win by a head. His stablemate Motu Time To Shine won narrowly in her first race for two months. “She was probably only about 80 per cent tonight,’’ said Anderson. The speedy 3yr-old filly has now won three from five.
Ross Wilson, a hobby trainer at Oamaru, won with Passion Flower, who led throughout 2200m in the hands of Brad Williamson. Wilson who had his previous win five years ago, races Passion Flower with his son, Jesse and sister, Fiona Gould on lease from Dave Phillips, of Auckland. Passion Flower is a half sister by Grinfromeartoear to Immortal (1.50.1 in the US) and Far Too Rusty (17 wins in NZ and Australia).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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