By Tayler Strong
The 13yr-old Motu Speedy Star became the oldest pacer to win a race in New Zealand for five years when he was successful at Oamaru on Sunday.
The free legged Motu Speedy Star, owned and trained at Oamaru by Eion Latimer, was driven by Sheree Tomlinson (19) in the race for junior drivers. It was start 209 for Motu Speedy Star and the 13th win for the Village Jasper – Classic Speed gelding. He began racing as a 3yr-old in 2007.
The previous 13yr-old pacer to win a race was Greg Brydon, according the a list compiled by Victor Rolton, of Harness Racing New Zealand from the 1955-56 season. Three 13-year-old pacers and one 14-year-old have won in the intervening years.
The pacer Greg Brydon won at that age at Alexandra Park in March 2012 when trained by Andrew and Lynn Neal and driven by Rodney Frampton in a race for amateur drivers. The Camtastic gelding wound up his racing career with 15 wins in 219 starts.
Single Direct won a pacing free-for-all at an Auckland Trotting Club meeting in 1955 at the age of 13 when trained and driven by Ray Kennerley.
Blue Signal was 14 when he won a race for pacers in saddle at Cromwell in March, 1958 trained by Mick Prendergast and ridden by brother Maurice. The brothers shared ownership of the roan Sandydale gelding who was at odds of 71 to one.
Blue Signal began racing at five and he had his other win at six.
Twenty two trotters have won races when 13 or older in the past 62 seasons with Jovial Scot heading the list. He was 15 when her won his only start that season at Alexandra Park in November, 1965. The King Scott gelding was driven by Ian Thomas and trained by Ray Garmonsway and started from 42yds (38m) over a mile and five furlongs (2600m).
The list of winners 13 yrs and older:
Horse Name Season Age
Jovial Scot 1966 15
Perigo 2012 14
Moment Of Truth 2017 14
Mighty Hanover 1969 14
Indian Gold 1960 14
Murray Grattan 1959 14
Blue Signal 1958 14
Danny Gee 1993 13
Cracker Pete 1988 13
Idle Scott 1997 13
Raymauwarrhen Sun 2010 13
Greg Brydon 2012 13
Bob Crane 1979 13
Easton Light 1978 13
Foxtrot Jack 2015 13
Netherby 1974 13
John Robin 1972 13
Prince William 1962 13
Motu Speedy Star 2018 13
Beechdale Queen 1958 13
Fencourt 1958 13
Loyal Eagle 1958 13
Slipstream 1957 13
Rangi’s Pride 1957 13
Single Direct 1956 13
Larry ‘O 1956 13
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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