By Tayler Strong
Two yearling sales purchases by Ross McCutcheon, of Temuka made the grade at Forbury Park on Friday night from the stable of Brent White.
Bear’s Rest won a maiden trot by six lengths and Ultimate Fella won at his first start, both driven by Stephen McNally.
They are among five individual winners for White since he shifted from Springston to a property at Temuka at the end of October.
Bear’s Rest,a good type of 4yr-old was having his sixth start. He has displayed ability but has not always maintained his gait.
White decided to try him in half hopples two starts back. He never put a foot wrong on Friday night, settled fourth and powered to the lead at the 1000m. Bear’s Rest was a $6000 purchase at the 2013 premier yearling sale.
He is a half brother by Brylin Boyz to Trouble Rieu (by Great Success) winner of seven races from the White stable with McCutcheon a part-owner.
Trouble Rieu had finished second in two starts as a 2yr-old when McCutcheon bought Bear’s Rest.
McCutcheon, who has raced several horses from the White stable, likes to have others share the ownership.
He races Trouble Rieu with his daughter, Katrina Glass, of Methven and Tim White, son of the trainer.
The same trio are in Bear’s Rest, along with Jo Chapman, of Springston. The latter operates the Springston Hotel which White managed before his shift to Temuka.
McCutcheon, a retired farmer, shares the ownership of Ultimate Fella with Paul Kelly, of Nelson. McCutcheon and Kelly were in the ownership of Ultimate Sheldon and Fellas R Trouble, who each won two races from the White stable before being sold to Australia in 2013.
Ultimate Fella was a $21,000 purchase at the 2014 premier sale. He is by Changeover and the second winner from as many foals to race out of Alright Now, a Washington VC mare who won three races.
The Jinja Ninja finished second for the White – McCutcheon duo on Friday night after missing the start. He was a winner three starts back.
Remiss, who has won twice this season for the stable, was scratched when White was not happy with her work during the week. She will be freshened.
McCutcheon is also in the ownership in Wesley Silcox, winner of eight of his 12 starts. The Robert Dunn –trained Wesley Silcox was put aside in March with a tendon problem.
The Lew Driver-trained Lewy Risk was a late scratching on Friday night, the aftermath of ripping a front shoe off.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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