NZ HARNESS NEWS
Former Auckland Cup place-getter Saveapatrol made a surprise appearance at the Rangiora trials today (Wednesday), qualifying as a trotter.
The once-brilliant pacer, who won 11 of 18 starts for trainer Mark Jones and owner Grant Hatton, has been plagued by unsoundness for most of the past four years.
He has raced just twice since his third behind Terror To Love in the Auckland Cup on March 7, 2014, and those two starts came over two-and-a-half years ago in July, 2015.
He stepped out in a qualifying trot today and won the heat comfortably by 19 lengths, running nine seconds under time in the hands of his trainer.
Jones says the horse had never shown a compulsion to trot, but a brainwave the horseman had earlier in the season was the catalyst for the move.
“He had never trotted in his life until three months ago, when I had a strange idea that I kept to myself.
“And today proved it to be right.
“I’m glad to have him back on the track and fingers crossed he stays sound – that’s the main thing.
“If he does, we will head to Nelson next month.
Jones has no doubts that Saveapatrol will be a force in the trotting ranks should his dodgy legs hold up to the rigors of racing.
“If he keeps his manners, he will win races as a trotter.”
Jones is grateful for Hatton’s patience and just hopes to be able to show the public what a good horse he is.
“He’s a super horse; people don’t realise quite how good he is.”
- NZ Harness News
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