The performance of some smart 3YOs was a clear highlight at Addington Raceway on Friday night, with four of the nine races going to that age group.
Kotare Rimu had last raced in the Group 1 Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final behind Jumal, so dropping back to a Rating 35-42 from barrier one gave him a great opportunity to grab his second win. The son of Always B Miki took a trail behind Santiago throughout, sprinting quickly up the passing lane to beat a brave Taumutu Lad, with Santiago third. Owned by past NZMTC president Tony Abell and his wife Gay, he looks to have a bright future, with likely targets later in the season including the Derby.
Just For Today was having only her second start when she took out the Holmes Construction Waitaha Mobile Trot for champion reinsman Ricky May. The daughter of Carlton settled in third position before moving off the fence with 800m to run, sitting outside eventual runner-up Regal Summit. Trained by Greg and Ben Hope, it soon became apparent turning for home that she was travelling better than anything else, winning with some authority on the line.
Next up was the Diamond Racing team with Franco Harlem, who treated his rivals with contempt, winning the Bettor’s Delight The King Mobile Pace by more than eight lengths. He was fresh-up after two runs as a 2YO, but had trialled impressively, leading throughout in a performance that would impress even the toughest of judges. He might also find himself on a similar path to Kotare Rimu.
Completing the age group’s dominance on the night, Dornish Hill – who had blotted his impressive form line a week ago with an early gallop — showed no signs of that when he ran away with the Urge Burger Ferrymead Handicap Trot. Away safely, driver Blair Orange took the son of What The Hill straight to the lead before holding his rivals at bay, eventually winning by two lengths over an improving Help Me.