One of the finds in the Southern Harness Racing scene last season – Lamborne Road, is still recovering after he was injured during his last raceday start at Addington at the end of March.
In that race he was a game third behind Let It Ride and Gotta Go Ya Hu. After drawing barrier nine he was taken back to last before improving with 1000 metres to run. He ran on gamely with the leaders running their last 800 metres in a fast 54.7 seconds.
"He was lame in the hock when we went to wash him and he stayed up there for an operation. He's had a bit of bad luck as he got that bad lung infection (February last year) and that knocked him for a while," Adams said, adding that a vet will inspect and x-ray the gelding in October.
The five year old gelding is currently spelling at the property of Nicky Keast – one of his part owners.
"Nicky tells me he's tearing around the paddock."
Nicky Keast shares ownership with her husband Stephen and Nicky's parents Joe and Rayleen Thompson.
Lamborne Road had only nine starts last season out of which he won three races and was placed five times. Adams produced him to win fresh up at the Wairio meeting in December after he'd been off the scene for ten months. He was also good enough to split Titan Banner and Costa Del Magnifico in the Wyndham Cup last season.
Lamborne Road is out of The Gladiator mare Abararka which also left Storm Light the winner of eight races.
Adams has a three year old filly by Tintin In America out of Abararka named Bella Sara on the active list. And a two year old full brother to Lamborne Road named The Other Brother is ready to have a bit more done with him.
The Findlay Road trainer currently has fourteen horses in work.
"Sportzstar is about four or five weeks away from the races. Mach's Back is just back and looking good. He should be a nice horse this year. Navajo Art has had about five weeks jogging."
Mach's Back Photo by Bruce Stewart
Adams is also genuinely excited about A Rocknroll Dance filly he purchased from last years Christchurch sale. Named Dancingformoney the two year old is out of the Falcon Seelster mare Giesle Franco which is a full sister to Ohoka Dallas and Ohoka Sniper, both good winners. Dancingformoney's third dam is Gina Rosa and fourth dam Gina Marie so there are plenty of good females on her pedigree page. He purchased her for $10,000.
"She's a beautiful pacer. Shane tells me she's the best one I've bought at the sales for a while."
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing