By Matt Markham
It’s been awhile since Bruce Negus chased some of the biggest riches in New Zealand harness racing, but expect to see the popular horseman back in the thick of it this season.
Burnham based Negus stepped out his two open class contenders at yesterday’s Ashburton trials and both of them went home as winners as they look to make race resumptions next weekend.
Methven Green Mile winner, Quick As A Trick looked impressive when he stormed home over the top of Mossdale Conner to win the feature pacing heat of the day in the hands of regular driver, Jessica Young.
“I’ve got no doubt that he’s come back a better horse this time in,” Negus said.
“Maturity wise he’s a lot better too, I’m just not sure we can expect him to be perfect at behind the barrier strand yet.”
Negus intends to head to next week’s Hannon Memorial at Oamaru with the gelding.
“He’s pretty low down in the rankings, so we are going to have to show a bit of form to work ourselves towards contention for the Cup.
“We made the ballot last year and it would be nice to go one better than that this year.”
Negus also debuted outstanding juvenile trotter, Arya in his colours.
Driven by Colin DeFilippi the former All Stars runner ranged up to sit parked from the 800 metre mark and did it all under her own steam down the straight, winning untouched.
“It’s a good starting point, she’s been in work about 10 weeks and I’m really impressed by her. She’s so much like her mother who I trained initially.”
The half-sister to outstanding trotter Stent is owned by Trevor Casey and is likely to resume at Addington next Friday night providing she pulls up from the trial run well.
Negus said it was a great privilege to be given horse’s like Arya and also Wanna Play and Missandei to train.
“Trevor is a very loyal person and it’s a bit special to be given the chance to train for him again, especially horse’s like this.
“I’ve been really impressed with her, she does a lot of her work with Quick As A Trick and is always taking ground off him at the finish.”
DeFilippi will be in the bike next Friday night and probably until Stent returns at which point Mark Purdon has been touted as taking over the reins.
Also impressing yesterday was the Paul Court trained, Brilliant Strike.
The striking pacer came from a long way back on the home turn to run down his rivals in a 55 second last 800 metres.
“It’s a good run because we knew he was pretty underdone and carrying a bit of condition,” Court said.
The West Melton horseman is now tossing up whether or not to return to the trials next Wednesday or head straight to a graded C3-C5 mobile event at Addington.
“I usually like to give them two trials, but it might be just as good to go to that race and treat it like a trial.
“I’d rather do that and get a good run under the belt then go to the trials where you run the risk of them walking around and just sprinting home.
“He’s come back in pretty good nick so I’m excited by the season ahead for him.”
Should he elect to return to the trials then Brilliant Strike won’t been seen at the races until the Canterbury Classic in just over a fortnight’s time.
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