The 6-year-old brown trotter could be a hot prospect once he has returned from some life-experience on the Goldfields Cavalcade. And it will have been quite an education.
The transition from pulling a sulky on a flat track to carrying a rider around the hills above Millers Flat could not be greater.
It was only about three weeks ago that Maddie, as he is better known, was first ridden; he had only ever previously been in harness.
Maddie has had several campaigns to be a racehorse.
So far, his trainer did not think much of his trotting, nor his speed. And that makes Karina Bennett, who is riding him on the heavy wagon trail this week, quite relieved.
"I hope he stays like that."
Mrs Bennett, from Timaru, had ridden Maddie several times before she picked him up a week prior to the cavalcade and gave him some hill and ground work.
After she started to ride him, his trainer commented he went much better.
On the first day of the heavy wagon trail, which included both wagoners and riders, the pair notched up eight hours riding and Mrs Bennett could not have been happier.
"He did not put a foot wrong. He took everything in his stride," she said.
Whether or not he would ever succeed on the track was unknown but Mrs Bennett was clearly smitten.
"He is so handsome."
All trails lead to Millers Flat tomorrow for the finale of the 30th Goldfields Cavalcade.
A carnival day will start at 10am at the Millers Flat Sports Ground.
At noon, there will be a parade of about 400 horses and wagons, including two wagon trails, five horse-riding trails and tramping, walking, running and mountain-biking trails.
A hoe-down will follow at night.
