Everybody on course on the first day of the Westport harness racing Christmas meeting was told that one horse that wouldn't get beaten was Chuck Norris from the Gavin Smith barn.
Consequently,the three year old son of Shark Gesture started out a very warm favourite but after being slow away and pushed back midrace, Chuck Norris finished on well late to run an okay eighth.
That run didn't deter the punters at all with Chuck Norris being sent out a very warm favourite again on day two but this time he raced up to expectations.
Away quickly from barrier one for driver Gavin Smith, Chuck Norris was headed briefly by Buffy Bay after 250 metres but Gavin quickly took Chuck Norris back around to the lead.
Allowed to get away with a couple of easy sectionals mid race, Gavin pushed the go button at the 400 metres and Chuck Norris sprinted home in 28.3 on the grass which left him a comfortable winner.
Gavin bred Chuck Norris from the Live Or Die mare Bree Van De Kamp in a year where he sent three mares to Shark Gesture.
One of the resultant three foals he sold to Perth for $80,000, one went amiss while Chuck Norris is the third of them.
Gavin has taken his time with Chuck Norris.
“I liked him when I broke him in but he was such a big weak horse,I turned him out for nine months.”
“He has really improved after that big break and I thought he could win one over here.”
“He is very green and inexperienced.”
“I was having trouble getting him up on the bit during the running today but when I pulled the hood on the corner he tore into it.”
“Just past the post when a few horses closed on him, he grabbed the bit and took off and it took me half the back straight to pull him up."
“We will go to Nelson now and then I might give him a break unless he gets sold.”
“I think another break shortly will do him the world of good and longterm I think he will develop into a very handy horse,” Gavin said.
The win today continued the great season Gavin is having and he is now firmly established in the upper echolons of our driving ranks.
Harnesslink Media