It is not often you will find a budding star in a maiden trot in the middle of winter at a harness racing meeting at Addington Raceway.
Tonight however was the exception with the beautifully bred Matatoki showing he was a horse with a big future when the two year son of Revenue S got up to win his first start after making a mistake early in the 1950 metres event.
Trained and driven by Bob Butt, Matatoki had only been off the place three times prior to tonight and his lack of experience looked like it might cost him early when he had a gallop after 100 metres but he settled quickly and tacked on to the back of the bunch after 300 metres.
Given a nice trip up to the leaders, Matatoki grabbed the lead half way up the straight and just managed to see off the well supported Cuddly Jess.
Matatoki trotted the 1950 metres in the cold winterly conditions in 2:29.9, a mile rate of 2:03.6 with closing sectionals of 62.5 and 29.1.
Bob Butt was suitably impressed with the first up run.
" He doesn't know much yet but he wants to be there and that makes such a difference."
" He went away good but got a bit rattled when a couple came through underneath him really quickly."
"To his credit he came down trotting pretty quick and to get up and win was a great effort," Bob said.
Matatoki is bred to be above average being from a Chiola Hanover half sister to the dam of Lyell Creek 1:52.4 ($2,961,137) and the latest Australian sensation, Arboe 1:55.5 who looks very special.
Revenue S has been very sparingly used in New Zealand with just 14 foals two year old or older with five winners to date headed by Dead Cat Bounce 1:59.8 ($48,615)
However his stint in America showed what he is capable of with earnings there of $19,401,627 headed by the champion trotter Market Share 1:50.2 ($3,684,417) who has a Hambletonian win on his card.
Revenue's S average per starter in America of $115,486 is up there with the very best trotting sires in America.
Matatoki would seem to inherited all the positive attributes of his maternal family and would appear to have a big future in front of him.
Harnesslink Media