Win for Loats
Minyip breeder-owner Gary Loats celebrated victory when his five-year-old gelding Metro Man led all the way to capture the D and M Heffernan Memorial Pace at Terang.
However, supporters of the $1.60 favourite would have drawn a deep breath at the start of the 1680-metre dash last week, when Metro Man mixed his gait and looked likely to switch into a mad gallop.
Fortunately, trainer-driver David Murphy was able to quickly balance up the son of Metropolitan USA and cross the field down to the pegs where he soon found his rhythm.
Metro Man set a leisurely tempo through the middle stages of the contest then sprinted home in 28.6 seconds to score by a half length in a rate of 2:00.9 and record his second career victory from 20 starts.
Metro Man made his debut for Loats in September 2017 at Maryborough as an early four-year-old.
Unwanted in the betting at 80-1 that day, he finished at the back of the bunch after being retrained at the start and followed them around for experience.
Steady improvement during the preparation.
Metro Man posted minor placings at
followed Horsham and Bendigo before heading to the paddock for a well-deserved spell.
Forward eight months and Murphy produced Metro Man for a promising first-up second at Horsham and just three days later at Maryborough bought up his maiden victory, and importantly for Loats, a $7000 Vicbred Bonus in addition to the stakemoney.
Loats bred Metro Man from his lightly raced, all-american bred broodmare Beach Kat, which late last year produced a bay filly by the legendary stallion Art Major USA.
Injury recovery
Horsham Pacing Syndicate manager Daryl Edwards has reported that three-year-old filly Luvtoo has recovered from her hoof abscess, is back jogging for trainer Courtney Slater and all going well should be at the trials in a fortnight.
More than 30 shares have already been taken up in the ‘Luvtoo Group’, with a handful still available for a one-off, total payment of $400 with her new owners hoping to see her race early in June.
People can call Daryl on 0428 500 194 for further information.
It’s Hot To Trot today in Horsham, in Stawell on May 23 and Ararat on May 29th.