"He's pretty green as you can see but he's got a motor," were Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray's words in describing Mr Kiwi who won on debut at Wyndham today.
Gray says win loss or draw, today the horse was always going to be turned out and he'll go to part-owner Ben Calder's Grinaldi Lodge tomorrow morning.
"He taken a bit to click onto the racing game. We'll give him a good month off and we'll go again.
I think he's six months away so we'll attack later in the season. We've got some nice races like the Supremacy but we'll just play the cautious game and hopefully it'll reward us."
Prior to today's debut Mr Kiwi had been to seven workouts – all at Winton, winning five including his last two. Gray and regular driver Brent Barclay have played the patience card all the way through knowing that the half brother to the talented Mr Mojito was worth waiting for.
Mr Kiwi after winning at Wyndham Photo Bruce Stewart
"I think in time he could be quite a nice horse. I think you just have to wait for the American Ideals.
In today's race Mr Kiwi settled in the rear division in a strung out field. When he got in to the three wide running line with just under a lap to run driver Nathan Williamson had to give him a reminder with the whip to keep his mind on the job.
"He also got a bit of a check so he did pretty well on debut. He's come from last down the back so he's gone bloody good. Nathan had never driven him before and we told him he was a trick to drive. Brent gave him instructions on how to drive the horse. Nathan thought that was a bit weird,but Brent was right on the money. Brent told him (Williamson) that you've always got to be on his case because you might think that he's flat as a biscuit but there's always something left."
Mr Kiwi (12) beating Matai Will (1) and James Butt (10) – Photo Bruce Stewart.
The winning margin was a length from rank outsider Matai Will.
Gray's wife Gina has a share in Mr Kiwi along with breeders Ben and Karen Calder and Earl Shannon and his partner Mrs J Banjnoczi – Shannon.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing