Western Flare clinched a place in the field for the Sires' Stakes heat for 2yr-old pacers at Addington on Friday night with his win at Washdyke yesterday.
Western Flare was facing elimination from the heat before his win as 21 horses had been nominated and he was well down in the qualifying order.
The field was finalised two hours after his win.
Western Flare was three wide early, led and ran the 2000m (mobile) in 2.30.6, the last 800m in 56.6 in the hands of Robert Butt.
Western Flare has had a win and a second at trials. He is trained by David and Catherine Butt for the Met Five syndicate.
Western Flare was purchased for $45,000 by David Butt on behalf of the syndicate at the 2008 premier yearling sale.
She was offered by Utopia Farm, Westport, operated by Jamie Cleine.
Western Flare is a colt by McArdle and the fourth foal of Unreal Utopia, winner of three races. His granddam, Gypsy Winkle, won the 1990 New Zealand Oaks. Gypsy Winkle is a half-sister to Star Of Utopia, winner of the Rising Stars Championship the same year.
The Met syndicates comprise 50 shares.
The Butt stable won seven races with Danger Sign for the Met Two syndicate before the gelding was sold to the United States.
The stable also won a race for the same syndicate with Likmesiah after he had won the 2004 NZ Derby for Mark Purdon.
Likmesiah, the winner of 13 races and $427,965 in stakes, was retired in February and he is now used as a recreational horse.
• The $6500 late entry fee has been paid for The Fiery Ginga, Rhythmic Sun and Dreamit to enter the Sires' Stakes series for trotters.
The trio are in the prelude for 2yr-olds at Addington on Friday night.
The Fiery Ginga posted his fourth win when he was successful in a race for 2yr-olds at Addington last Thursday for East Taieri trainer-driver and part-owner Alan Clark.
Rhythmic Sun, a stablemate, finished fourth.
Razor Face, who has been placed for Clark this season, is now trained by Colin and Julie De Filippi.
Dreamit, who finished second to The Fiery Ginga last Thursday, is trained by Leo O'Reilly.
• Trainers Greg and Nina Hope recorded their 18th win for the season when Dobby was successful yesterday in his first start since joining their stable three weeks ago.
The 5yr-old had six minor placings in 19 starts for two other trainers in the past 17 months.
It is the Hopes' best tally since they went into partnership in the 2000-01 season and confirmation of the decision to shift to a beach training facility 12 months ago.
Greg Hope had 20 wins on his own account in the 1997-98 season.
The Hope-trained Seel The Dream, winner of the Waikouaiti Cup in February, has been turned out for a spell.
Greg Hope was delighted with the first-up effort of Mordor for sixth yesterday.
He said Holme Grown would only need to remain sound to extend his winning record.
Holme Grown, who has had a win and fourth since joining the stable, has a bad tendon.
