By Matt Markham
Win, lose or draw on Friday night Andrew Faulks and Ray Warwick were assured a victory at Addington with Arran Chief.
As the 100th horse to claim the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s incentive scheme, the Met Multiplier, the trainer and owner combination were guaranteed $7,500, but Faulks wanted, and knew he could get, the whole kit and caboodle.
So that’s exactly what he did.
On top of the $7,500 bonus, Arran Chief also collected a further $5,500 for their efforts when he made a mockery of his rivals in the feature trot of the night winning comfortably, with Faulks in the bike.
“It didn’t surprise me, he’s actually been going good races behind some pretty nice horses,” Faulks said.
“So I thought he could go pretty close if things went our way and that’s exactly how it panned out, we got the right trip and he felt great the whole way.”
The Sundon gelding, who Warwick also bred, brought up the sixth win of his career from 36 starts.
His four starts leading into Friday night had seen him beaten behind Destiny Jones, Le Reveur, Great Things Happen and Sunny Ruby so he was facing a notable drop in grade.
That didn’t stop punters from letting him slide out to a $36 win price on the tote – a stunning price considering some of his recent performances.
In order to qualify for the Met Multiplier horses are required to start at New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club meetings on 15 occasion and win once in a 12 month period.
Arran Chief’s victory came last season when he won the Darren DeFilippi Memorial Trot in the hands of Jess Young.
He won’t be eligible to return to defend the title this year, and Faulks isn’t exactly sure where he’s going to place him.
“He’s up in the grades now. Every time he’s won he’s been only a couple of starts away from a drop back.
“But we will find races for him here and there, he seems to really enjoy racing at this time of the year too which is good.
“He’s got a few more wins in him yet I think.”
Faulks’ good night on Friday extended to Sunday when he produced yet another upset winner in Alvira Hest.
The talented trotting mare was subjected to a Ricky May special as she never past a horse inside the final 400m, coming from well off the speed up the inside of everyone to win clearing away in emphatic fashion.
The daughter of Angus Hall now comes into serious contention for the Joan Belcher Fillies and Mares Speed Series with the win.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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