The Don Ross-trained pacer continues to improve on race day, winning the $10,000 Cromwell Cup at the Wyndham Harness Racing Club's annual meeting at Cromwell yesterday.
But Clive's prospects as a progressive type hung in the balance when he turned up at Ross' Broadfield stables this time last year.
He had a reputation at the Woodend Beach stables of Robert Dunn for kicking drivers out of the cart, and was not suited to the busy beach stable.
‘‘They couldn't get him to go, so Robert Dunn organised it and said to me ‘it's a good horse, Don, but it just has to go to a quiet place like yours' - a wee stable with not a lot of horses.''
Ross and wife and co-owner Lyn have just five horses in work, and the quiet surroundings calmed the son of Gotta Go Cullen right down. The discovery of bone chips in both of Clive's hocks, and a subsequent operation, has also improved his demeanour.
''Now he could sit at your kitchen table and eat with you,'' Ross quipped.
The 4yr-old extended his record to four wins from 11 starts yesterday, although Ross reckons his career summary could have been even better.
‘‘He's beaten himself on three or four occasions, just galloping and things like that.''
Clive was not suited to the beach, but the sand is vital for the career of race 2-winner Razor Rascal.
The 5yr-old has suffered from bad quarter cracks in his hooves his whole life, prompting Makarewa trainer Tony Barron to send the son of Ohoka Arizona to Westwood Beach trainer Amber Hoffman.
However, Hoffman diverted any praise for the training efforts to her stable employee and junior driver Rory McIlwrick, who has had the horse in his care at Cromwell over the holiday period.
‘‘All credit to him - he's done a good job with that horse,'' she said.
‘‘They've had their ups and downs - he's been kicked out of the cart by him. He's had him up here for the last week, so he's done a good job.''
Alister Black has had his fair share of problems too as he has tried to get the best out of Abraham Jones.
The best could be a year away, but the gelding was still good enough yesterday to give former European trotter Southwind Vernon his first New Zealand siring win.
‘‘He's always had the ability,'' Black said of Abraham Jones.
‘‘He's just been a very hard horse to gait. He's starting to come to it now, but in 12 months' time, you'll see the best of him.
''He'll probably only have another three or four starts then I'll put him aside for next year.''
Franco Jaeger is the only other New Zealand-bred product of Southwind Vernon to race, winning three from three in Australia last year.
