Angus Burga won by seven lengths at the Pukekohe Workouts last Saturday but Ken Sefonte still thinks he’s a bit of a meat head – a hamburger even.
The rising six-year-old will return from a four month spell in the last race at Alexandra Park on Friday night. Trainer Sefonte said Angus Burga had matured physically but was still a gold coin or two short upstairs.
“He’s taken such a long time to get to where he is. I’ve had to bring him in and out of work every couple of months. Perhaps he’s starting to finally click on about what this racing game is all about, but I wouldn’t be getting too carried away with that workout win.
“There were only three in it and they didn’t run much time, but I was pleased with his sectionals,” Sefonte said.
Angus Burga and Peter Ferguson trotted Saturday’s 2500m standing start workout right handed in 3:35.7 (mile rate 2:18.8) and home in 60.1 and 28.7.
Angus Burga has the bloodlines to be an absolute trotting star. He is the second of five foals, and first colt, out of the 2008 Rowe Cup winner, Our Sunny Whizz.
The now 15-year-old Sundon – Hanover Whiz mare won 19 of her 45 starts ($348,781) for trainer, Sefonte.
Her only other major victory came in the Group Three City of Sails Free-For-All, also in 2008, but she did place in several others including a second behind One Over Kenny in the 2007 Rowe Cup.
Sefonte, who has half a dozen in work, had 13 starters to the races this season and Angus Burga has provided him with a second and third at Alexandra Park on February 10 and 24 respectively.
Angus Burga has 24 days to break Sefonte’s duck for the season.
“He’s good enough to win one this month but I think he will make a better six-year-old. He’s only had eight starts, so he’s still got a lot of improving to do yet. He just needs to sort his head out,” the Kumeu horseman said.
“His mother was such a lovely natured mare, but you can certainly tell he is an Angus Hall. He’s got a few tricks and isn’t the easiest horse to train,” he added.
Sefonte said he would not be lining his trotter up in mobile starts.
“I’ll chase the stands everywhere. I’m not a mobile fan with this horse. If he does win a standing start he will then only have mobiles to call on, it’s not right,” Sefonte said.
Angus Burga will start from the unruly four gate in Friday's Italian Night at the Races Handicap for the maiden R43 to R49 trotters. Angus Burga is assessed at R46. Trottech has him as their first pick.
“I’ve got a lovely Majestic Son rising two-year-old out of Our Sunny Whiz that I'm quite excited about. The family and owners have been very good to me over the years," Sefonte said.
The breeders are Sheryl Lean (Waimauku), Robert Armour Southey (Waimauku), Keith Southey (Waimauku), and Robert Morton Southey (Snells Beach).
The bay is owned by Lean and Robert Morton Southey.
“They have been advertising the Angus Burger on TV all week. I hope that is a good luck omen,” Sefonte said.
Duane Ranger