Some people might describe never-never land as an imaginary place where everything is perfect.
The equine version of Neverneverland is the complete opposite, but he makes up for that with some serious trotting talent.
That was on show when the Kate Robertson-trained squaregaiter powered to victory to win his first race, at only his second start, at the Waikouaiti Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday.
While he showed the crowd he has a big motor it was clear he also still has some work to do on his gait as he galloped several times during the race.
Given the improvement he has shown since his last trip to the races in January his win on Saturday, that issue should be sorted out quickly.
Neverneverland stood stock still on the Oamaru track during the preliminary for what was supposed to be his second start, despite the urgings of driver Colin de Filippi.
So stubborn was the horse that he was quickly ushered off through a side gate and late-scratched by stewards.
Neverneverland’s quirky nature has been causing his connections headaches since his trainer bought him.
"We sent him away as a 2yr-old to get broken in . . . he was away for nine months and the trainer just couldn’t do anything with him," Kate Robertson, who trains at Oamaru, said.‘‘He said try him as a hack or send him away.
"But us loving the horses, we turned him out for a year and we started from day one long-reining him again.
"He is a Sundon, so he has got a lot of tricks."
Neverneverland may be unpredictable and have a mind of his own, but his raw talent is not to be questioned.
"He has been running really good time once he gets going," Robertson said.
"We knew that he had the speed, but it is all in his head."
Maiden winner McCawsome was one horse who did live up to his name on Saturday.
The pacer drove through the pack from three deep on the markers for victory in similar vein to Richie McCaw diving into rucks and mauls.
The Greg And Nina Hope trained 3yr-old reeled off the fastest last 400m run on the rain-affected Waikouaiti track, 30.9sec.
McCawsome was one of three horses who attracted some substantial bets.
One punter plunged $20,000 to win on the horse at $2.30. The other two big win bets came unstuck — $20,000 on Sundons Flyer in race 11 and $16,500 on Augusta in race 12.
Race 11, the feature trot (1800m, ffa) was won by a talented squaregaiter in Smokey Mac. Trained by Brett Gray, he took his record to five wins and three second placings this season by wearing down his stablemate, Jen Jaccka, in the straight.
That record has elevated Smokey Mac to the top of the 4yr-old trotters qualifying for the Harness Jewels in front of BD Khaosan and fellow southerner War Machine.
Gray also won the last race with Erin Jaccka, driven by Brent Barclay, who also partnered Smokey Mac.
