The first of the tote races for the 2015-2106 season for the two year old trotters was held at Addington Raceway this evening and provided a great spectacle as the first four home all showed enough on the night to suggest that we are in for some great contests as the harness racing season progresses.
Custodian from barrier eight left the gate with the mobile for driver David Butt and was in front after 200 metres and proceeded to set a hectic pace in front.
The well supported Habibi Inta with Blair Orange in the cart was slow off the gate and settled sixth in the running early while Regal Love and Tim Williams ended up in the open in the running line when things settled down after the start.
David Butt kept Custodian rolling in front, putting half a dozen lengths between himself and the field as they went past the 800 metres mark.
Tim Williams and Regal Love were the first to make a move to close the gap on the tearaway leader and Habibi Inta quickly got onto Regal Love's back as they passed the 400 metres.
These three were joined on the point of the turn by Miracle Rising with trainer / driver Gavin Smith in the bike who had been four back on the inner and these four drew away from the rest.
Custodian was still in front 100 metres out but his earlier exertions started to catch up with him and he was claimed by both Habibi Inta and Miracle Rising with 50 metres to go with Habibi Inta holding a neck advantage over Miracle Rising at the finishing line with a game Custodian a close up third just in front of an equally game Regal Love who had dragged the field up to the leader.
The winners time for the 1950 metres from the mobile was a smart 2:26.6, a mile rate of 2:00.9 with closing sectionals of 60.2 and 30.7
Trainer Paul Nairn was happy that his charge did everything right at his first race start.
" I told Blair he had never been behind the mobile before and to not rush him early which is why he was so far behind them early on."
" I knew he was good enough to win the race but I was more concerned that he did everything right at his first start to help build up his confidence."
" I think I will give him his next start in the two year old trot at Methven on the grass as a lead into the 2 year old Trotting Stakes at the end of March at Addington as he handles the grass really well," Paul told Harnesslink this evening.
Gavin Smith had a huge smile on his face after the run of Miracle Rising to grab second on debut.
" I couldn't have been happier with my horse's run."
" He is not switched on as yet to what racings all about but he has got an awful lot of natural ability.
" I thought he was too big to make a two year old but he is proving me wrong."
" He is beautifully gaited and has great manners and going forward there is so much improvement in him that it is scary," Gavin said.
Throw in Custodian and Regal Love who lost no admirers with their game runs tonight and the two year old trotting ranks look to be especially strong this year.
Harnesslink Media