Raupunga Lad back on track

Bruce Stewart Journalist

After a below par showing a week ago at the Winton harness racing workouts, unbeaten pacer Raupunga Lad (Raging Bull) looked to be back on track after he trialled a lot better at yesterday’s workouts.

Pic: Raupunga Lad prior to his Winton Workout.

“It was much better than last week. He’s been a bit of a head scratcher this time in. He gets a bit nervous when he comes to the races. The ability is still there but he’s just going to take a few runs to come back to it. He came home in 56 (800 metres) and 26 (400 metres) today and did it pretty stylishly. He knows when it’s the serious end of the trip. He tightened the rein getting past the 600 and let down nicely. I was a lot more positive compared to last week,” stable representative Bronson Munro said.

The trial was won by Mach’s Back (Mach Three) from Snow Robyn (Rock N Roll Heaven) with Raupunga Lad finishing third. Street Art (Art Major) returning after a wind operation, ran fifth but dragged a flat tyre.

Mach’s Back winning at the Winton trials from Snow Robyn and Raupunga Lad.

It's possible Raupunga Lad could race at the end of the month and then be freshened for spring racing.

“I know Macca (Brent McIntyre) and Timzee (Neil Timms) would dearly love to win a South of The Waitaki (sponsored by Macca Lodge).” 

Meanwhile Macca Lodge’s quality mare Tayla Me (American Ideal) is still out in the paddock. She won twice in six starts in the first part of the season and took on some tough Addington company.

“She had quite a long preparation but did a good job for us. She ran a couple of 54 miles and is going to have seven weeks out in total. She’s out with a rug on and getting plenty of hard feed every day. She’s looking a lot more rounded. It’ll be exciting to get her back in and target a few mares races in the spring.”

Three year old trotter Switch On (Bacardi Lindy) started at Invercargill today and won impressively.  

Switch On winning with Brad Williamson at Ascot Park today.

“He’s had a four month break and has strengthened up a lot. There wasn’t much to him last year. He could potentially go to Australia for the Winter Carnival and the three year old trots there.”

Macca Lodge also qualified Coaster (Downbytheseaside) yesterday. The big three year old colt won his 2400 metre heat by three quarters of a length running the distance in 3-05.8 with the last half run in 58.6.

Coaster warming up before qualifying

“He’s still a bit green but the motor is definitely there. We’re looking after him and he’s only been off the place twice. He got home in 28 on a dead track today so I thought that was quite good for a qualifier. We’ll freshened him up and look to line him up in August when the season kicks off again.”

He’s a half-brother to eighteen race winner Rosco (Bettor’s Delight).

Two of the stable’s two year old trotters, Joeking (Majestic Son) and Yosemite (Volstead) are due back into the barn shortly.

“They’ll target the Sires Stakes Prelude in October and we’ll try and get them into those good two year old races in spring and summer. Joeking is a horse with immense ability and we’re excited about him. Yosemite trots and does everything right so we’re looking forward to getting them back in the barn.”