Gurus Response was bred by Otago Racing Club committee member George Cleland and his wife, Christine. Cleland said his colours - cherry with an old gold sash and sleeves - meant a lot to him.
''The colours that I use, my great-uncles gave them to me,'' Cleland said.
His father's uncles, Arthur and Hugh, combined with the late trainer Noel Eales to win the George Adams Handicap (later the Thorndon Mile) at Trentham with Starborough in 1962.
''I've had them for 45 years or so but I haven't won many races with them,'' Cleland, of Luggate, said.
''If Noel was here today, he would have been proud to see them going around.''
The Clelands bred Gurus Response out of the Personal Escort mare Responsibility, who produced Stability (by Seasoned Star), a winner at Gore in January 2011.
A full-sister to Gurus Response died, while Responsibility foaled a Raise The Flag colt in September.
Gurus Response has tested Cleland's patience, while she has also kept trainers Brian and Shane Anderton on their toes. ''She's a nice-looking horse, but she's not well-behaved.
Brian's done a big job to persevere with her, because she's pretty reckless.''
Cleland also has interests in Blue 'N' Gold, who races at Riccarton tomorrow, and Gallant Satin, who finished sixth in a maiden 1200m yesterday.
Cleland has been on the Otago committee for ''12 or 13 years'', but his involvement in the dairy industry means he has been involved in racing across New Zealand.
''Forty-seven years ago, I was on the Stratford committee, and I was vice-president there,'' he said.
''I did a bit of time on the Waipa committee, and I was president of the Tapanui committee - I've been around a bit.
''I like to know what's happening and I like to be part of what's happening.''
`Old fool' triumphsNo Rush'n may be 13 but he is still full of beans - both on and off the track.
The well-tried son of Heroicity is now in the care of South Canterbury trainer David Hutton after a long career, mostly with Hastings trainer Paul Nelson.
While he jumped the steeplechase fences at Wingatui yesterday like an old professional, winning by 9 lengths over stablemate Pakitin Pete, Hutton revealed the gelding's boisterousness almost cost him a start yesterday.
''We thought we were very lucky to get him here today - he bolted on my daughter on Wednesday [last week],'' Hutton said.
''He's an old fool to work with, and he couldn't get around the corner, skidded, went through the neighbour's fence, broke a concrete post off at ground level, and was upside down on my daughter.
''He extricated himself and came back riderless... and he only had a little bit of bark off.
''Before nominations [for Wingatui], we thought he wouldn't be going, but the next day he was sound as a bell.''
Hutton picked up the horse through jockey Ross Doherty who rode No Rush'n at Riccarton in August and heard owner Paul Nelson was going to finish up with him. Hutton opted to take the horse and brought his wife, Terry, and friends Ross and Vicky Stackhouse into the ownership.
Hutton knows the old-timer, who has now tackled the big fences on 46 occasions, has only so many runs left in him.
''He actually goes well fresh. He only has four or five good runs in him for a season,'' he said. Hutton has the $30,000 Great Western Steeplechase in mind for No Rush'n, although he is not expecting to head home to Pleasant Point with the $18,750 winner's cheque.
''He's only going to battle around - there are some good ones coming down from up north - but he's a runner's chance.
''He's a beautiful jumper.''
Doherty is enjoying his best season in the saddle, with 33 winners. He won both jumps races yesterday, as he also took Deceptive from last to first in the maiden hurdle for Murray Hamilton. He bookended the day by pushing What A Find home to win the last race, a rating 65 1600m, also for Hamilton.
Direen suspended
Toni Direen was suspended for three riding days after admitting a charge of careless riding yesterday. Direen, riding I'm A Taart in race 7, shifted in with 200m to go, checking Perfection. I'm A Taart finished second, 1 lengths clear of Perfection.
Her suspension begins on Tuesday and ends at the completion of racing on May 3.
