A week is ...
My few days away were carefully arranged around a dearth of local meetings - other than the Waimate Trotting Club's meeting at Oamaru, which was covered by my New Zealand Herald counterpart Michael Guerin.
Speaking of which, I now owe him two pies. For some reason, we run a very odd pastry-based barter system whenever one fills in for the other.
However, there was plenty going on while I was otherwise indisposed. As you'll note in the other stories on this page, Include's form continues to be outstanding courtesy of a good win at Ashburton on Friday. Her trainers, Brian and Shane Anderton, followed that up with wins to Coulee and Tommy Tucker at Wyndham on Sunday - both ridden by Jake Lowry - and Blue`N'Gold scored in the Wyndham Cup to give the Andertons their first win in the race in 16 years
.... a long time in racing
Meanwhile, up at Trentham, The Diamond One added to the emotional story that has unfolded since Steve Anderton died last month. She had to work hard for her Cuddle Stakes win on Saturday, giving Claire and Hec Anderton their first group win together to savour. All going well, the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes will see these two - and most of the country's best mares - clash at Te Aroha.
The Butt-en generation
The Butt family certainly knows how to keep owners Peter and Jocelyn Cates happy. When Bob Butt steered Idealindiamonds to a win at Waikouaiti on Tuesday, he became the fourth generation of the Butt dynasty to win for the Cates family. He follows on from father David, grandfather Robin and great-grandfather Wes. The most notable horse in recent years for the Cates-Butt combination was Hunter Cup winner Bondy.
They trade horses, don't they?
Former Southland harness trainer Tom Kilkelly has provided another option for people looking to sell or trade their horses. It doesn't cost anything to sell your pacer, trotter, galloper, pony or whatever. Tom had been in discussion with other trainers who had experienced difficulties in being able to sell their surplus horses and is hoping it provides another option for owners and trainers. Check it out at www.horsetrader.kiwi.
Lazy Fiver
Remarkably, the Lazy Fiver has found some legs - as did Dal Cielo in the Diamond Stakes two weeks ago. So, we're shooting for three in a row. I'm trying something different this week - just plonk your $5 on a straight quinella of Ohoka Punter and Dalton Bromac in race 5 at Addington tonight. Tiger Tara's presence in the field will hopefully bump the quinella dividend above $3.
