Templeton harness racing trainer Jim Curtin was very confident going into the C1 pace at Rangiora yesterday that his smart three year old Hickstead would be hard to beat.
And so it proved with Hickstead going away well from the stand and working to the front after 200 metres.
From there Jim controlled the tempo and when he asked the son of Mach Three to go as they turned for home, he quickly put daylight between him and the competition and cruised down to the line for an effortless victory.
Jim has always had an opinion of Hickstead and with every subsequent run, Hickstead is showing why.
" He is just getting better with each run."
" His manners are super which is always a big plus and as he learns the racing game he just keeps improving," Jim said.
Bought for $26,000 at the 2014 yearling sales, Hickstead impressed in a handful of starts at two and has stepped up again at three.
" He is a bit unusual for a Mach Three in that he is very laid back."
" Most of the Mach Three's can get a bit hot but he is the exact opposite.
" Nothing gets him too excited, he is so laid back"
" I would rather have a horse that way than one who gets all stirred up," Jim said.
Immediate plans for the horse have yet to be settled but he won't be joining the Curtin team on their annual pilgrimage to the West Coast at Christmas.
" He would handle the grass as good as gold but he is a bit too smart to be taking to the Coast."
" We will just look around for races closer to home for him," Jim said.
With his great standing start manners and his continual improvement there are plenty of opportunities around Canterbury for Hickstead to build on his impressive record.
Harnesslink Media