The first big race on today's premier harness racing meeting at Addington was the $65,000 PGG Wrightson Open Trot for the 2 year olds and the small but select field was further testament to how far our two year old trotters have come in recent years.
Conon Bridge from the Paul Nairn barn was a warm favourite in front of Wilma's Mate from the David and Catherine Butt barn.
He's Like The Wind with Gavin Smith in the bike flew the gate from barrier five to lead and was followed through from the unruly mark by Conon Bridge with Bob Butt in the bike who pressed on to the front.
Bob kept up a steady tempo in front until the 600 metres mark where he was joined in front by Wilma's mate and David Butt and the two favourites drew clear of the field.
Passing the 450 metres mark,Wilma's Mate went off stride leaving Conon Bridge ten lengths clear as they turned for home and although Gunners Coin and Dexter Dunn and He's Like The Wind closed late, Conon Bidge always looked to have the race in safe keeping.
Conon Bridge trotted the 1950 metres in 2:27.9, a mile rate of 2:02 with the last 800 metres in 59.8.
Conon Bridge is a son of the deceased stallion Raffaello Ambrosio.
Paul Nairn purchased the colt from last years New Zealand Premier sale on behalf of stable clients for the princely sum of $7,000.
Bob Butt was confident once he found the front.
" With a race like this one you have to take luck out of play"
" I knew He's Like The Wind would fly the gate so I followed him through and found the front."
"When he got left in front by that much I knew he would knock off but he still had plenty to offer," Bob said.
With one eye on the Harness Jewels, Paul Nairn has yet to make his mind up about weather he will take Conon Bridge off the unruly.
" I will have a talk to Bob about it before we make any decisions but with the Jewels so close it may not pay to change too much."
" He can get keen in his work at home so putting him on the gate may just light him up and we don't want to do that,"Paul said.
Currently fifth on the Harness Jewels leaderboard, Conon Bridge now looms as the horse they have to beat at Ashburton on May 30th.
Harnesslink Media