Southern trotter War Admiral in dominant form
GORE trotter War Admiral impressed when running to the most comfortable of victories at Forbury Park last night.
Driver Samantha Ottley sat motionless in the sulky as the 4yrold coasted in to win the feature trot, race 2, by five lengths for Gore trainer Tony Stratford.
‘‘As it turned out it was a $10,000 trial, really,’’ Stratford said.
‘‘He was probably just a bit good for those type of horses.
‘‘Sam drove it beautifully and he won with plenty in hand.’’
War Admiral showed plenty of raw talent last season, winning three of his nine starts.
It now looks as if the Skyvalley trotter is set to cash in on that potential
‘‘It should be onward and upwards from here. He looked to trot really well and he will keep gaining confidence all the time.’’
Stratford said the feature freeforall trot at next month’s Omakau meeting was now a possible target for War Admiral.
‘‘We might have another run and then have a look at the Omakau race. It appeals as it’s a $15,000 stake.
‘‘We have got to look after him. He is only a 4yrold. He won’t be overraced.’’
Ottley made the best possible start to the meeting. She drove Piri Piri to comfortably win the first race, a 2700m event for maiden trotters, for West Melton trainer Simon McMullen.
Oamaru trainer Eion Latimer has a different kind of horse on his hands than he is used to with Ripsnorter.
The pacer sat off a fast race pace to clear maidens in race 4 for driver Brad Williamson.
Latimer is known for holding on to his horses and keeping them competitive in their twilight years.
However, he said Ripsnorter was on the market to be sold.
‘‘If there is anyone out there that has the right money for him he can go, otherwise I will keep him and have some fun,’’ Latimer said.
Ripsnorter, a Gotta Go Cullect 5yrold, gave his trainer a few nervous moments in the straight when eventual runnerup Hold On Arizona was taking ground off him.
‘‘He gets to the front and knocks off. That is what cost him winning last week [at the Tuapeka meeting].
‘‘He wasn’t even blowing when he got back to the stall,’’ Latimer said.
Hold On Arizona’s driver, Sheree Tomlinson, did not have to wait long to get her turn in the winner’s circle.
She won the next two races on the Forbury Park card.
Tomlinson scored with Pocket Call, who notched his maiden win at his eighth attempt, in race 5 for West Melton trainer Tony Barron and with the trotter Michelle in a junior drivers race, race 6, for Burnham trainer Mark Jones.