07 July 2015
By Matt Markham
He’s been required to show some patience, but Ivan Court is finally being rewarded for it by Valor Lustre.
The daughter of McArdle made it back-to-back victories at Addington Friday night when winning a heat of the Golden Girl Series impressing New Zealand’s best reinsman in the process.
“She was awesome,’’ Dexter Dunn said. “At the 400 metres we were a bit flat but she took the bit and went again, she’s certainly improving.’’
Court confessed there was no secret formula to unleashing the beast within the giant mare who 10 starts ago was still a maiden but has since won three and placed on numerous occasions.
“Racing has been her friend, it’s taken a wee while but she’s finally getting it all together. “She’s such a big mare, there’s still some filling out to do yet too.’’
Court bred, owns and trains the mare along with about 15 other horses and was also the man behind Valor Lustre’s dam.
Regal Lustre – a good mare herself who won five races – has also left Majestic Lustre who has won three and Alsa Bromac who has a placing next to her name from just the two race day starts.
There’s a filly on the ground by Bettor’s Delight too. “The mare was pretty smart and she (Valor Lustre) has certainly inherited some of that.’’
Friday night was a good one for Court who also found himself in the winners’ circle at Alexandra Park when Fiery Lustre was dominant in giving Joe Moka his first winning drive.
Back at Addington Sunny Ruby may have confirmed herself as the winner of the three-year-old trotting filly of the year with her victory.
The Fred Fletcher trained filly overcame an early gallop to produce her trademark finishing burst to win in emphatic style for Gavin Smith.
A winner of five races this season, including the Harness Jewels at Ashburton, Sunny Ruby should be declared the winner of the coveted three-year-old filly title at the annual Awards next month – capping a great couple of months for her connections.
Brent White produced another masterful training effort to get another horse in the winners’ circle early in its time under his care.
After success with the likes of Glendaloch and Extremo Velocidad this season, White is fast growing a reputation as a horseman who has the talent to turn a horses form around at quick notice.
This time round it was Jericho who produced a dominant front-running display in the hands of Stevie Golding in the junior driver’s event.
White was confident of a strong showing from the pacer off the back of a strong trial performance and was convincing enough to get Golding secured for the drive three weeks before the race.
With 14 winners on the board for the season including star performers Sell A Bit and Trouble Rieu, White has well and truly surpassed his career best season total.
Story supplied by Harness Racing New Zealand INC
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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