The New South Wales pacer Karloo Mick, enhanced his prospects for his first New Zealand start in the $75,000 Ashburton Flying Stakes on Monday, with a decisive win at the Addington trials yesterday.
Driven by his Dubbo trainer Barry Lew, Karloo Mick was sent around the field at the 1200m and ran to the lead with 800m to run.
He won the 2600m trial by a length and a-quarter after starting from 40m.
He ran the distance in 3.16.1, the final 800m in 56.5 and the last 400m in 28.8.
B Grudge, who started from 20m, was second and Bondy (40m) was two lengths back third.
B Grudge is in the last race at Ashburton.
Bondy raced in midfield and ran on solidly.
He will be seeking his fifth win on end in the Flying Stakes.
The 9yr-old Karloo Mick has not raced since he won at Eugowra on October 5.
He has had 107 starts for 46 wins and 44 placings for stakes of $A936,031Ricky May is back behind Tennis Ball in the Flying Stakes.
May has not driven the 6yr-old since Ashburton in February, seven starts back, when he finished fourth.
May drove Tennis Ball to win his first two races, both at Alexandra Park.
Tennis Ball has been unplaced in his last two starts, at Addington last Friday night in the hands of Mark Jones and at Methven when he went through the markers in the run home in the hands of Dexter Dunn.
Dunn will continue his association with the Cran Dalgety-trained Bettor's Strike, who has drawn two in the Flying Stakes.
Bettor's Strike enhanced his New Zealand Cup aspirations with a New Zealand record for 2600m when he won at Addington last Friday night.
May (51) has won the Flying Stakes four times, Panky's Pacer (2001); Iraklis (1997); Happy Sunrise (1987) and Vita Man (1982).
Robert Famularo, who races Tennis Ball, won the race last year with Baileys Dream in the hands of Todd Mitchell, who trained the outsider Novice Mistress to win at Te Aroha yesterday.
Bettor's Strike and Tennis Ball are at $51 in the TAB futures market.
Kiwi Ingenuity is the new favourite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup at $3 after her dashing workout win at Ashburton on Tuesday.
Kiwi Ingenuity has drawn seven in the 6w+ discretionary race over 2400m, the final race on Monday.
Stunin Cullen, a workout winner on the track on Tuesday, is a race rival for Kiwi Ingenuity.
He has not raced since the Harness Jewels meeting at Ashburton in May.
Awesome Armbro (35m) and Corka Dream (20m) are in the field for the last race.
Both are also in the Flying Stakes.
Monkey King, a closing second to Bettor's Strike last Friday night is second favourite at $5.50 for the New Zealand Cup.
Changeover is next at $6 followed by Mr Feelgood ($9) and Bondy $10 ahead of the Australian pacers Karloo Mick at $11 and Smoken Up ($21).
Awesome Armbro is the only runner to start from the second row in the Flying Stakes, when 11 horses will start from the front line.
Barry Purdon, who trained and drove Holmes D G to win the Flying Stakes in 1999, has Pembrook Benny and Power Of Tara engaged on Monday.
Chas Luney is now trained by Angela Purdon at Pukekohe after being claimed by her father, Les Purdon, at Cambridge a week ago.
Chas Luney recorded his 11th win and his fifth for trainers Steven Reid and Graeme Rogerson.
The 11yr-old has been entered for a claiming race at Cambridge tonight with a tag of $5000.
Reid has retained the drive.
Chas Luney has had 10 different trainers.
He has also won races for Murray Brown (three) and Phil Williamson (three).
"He is a lovely old horse with such a great nature," Purdon said.
- Results from the Addington trials yesterday:
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Qualifying test, trotters, 2600m: Mamselle P Nairn 1; Sonofanearl 2; Millwood Munchkin 3. Eight started. 1 3/4L; 3L. Time, 3.29.8 (five qualified). Trainer, P Nairn.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2600m: Rurik R Butt 1; Pockey Robyn 2; Sublime Vision 3. Four started. 2 3/4L; 8L. Time, 3.29.5 (second horse qualified). Trainer, C Coutts.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2000m: Hollywood Sue B Weaver 1; Esprit Jaccka 2; Westburn Splendour 3. Seven started. 1 1/2L; nk. Time,. 2.40.7 (none qualified). Trainer, B Weaver.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2000m (first heat): Major Mark M Purdon 1; That's All Right 2; Vinnys Beach Boy 3. Four started. 2 3/4L; 10L. Time, 2.32.1 (four qualified). Trainers, M Purdon and G Payne.
Second heat: Mahogany Run K Barron 1; Harrison Maguire 2; Exceed And Excel 3. Five started. Nk; 5 3/4L. Time, 2.31.4 (four qualified). Trainer, K Barron.
0w pacers, mobile, 2000m: Christian Creek J Dunn 1; Song For The Asking 2; Lovencourage 3. Six started. 1 1/2L; 1L. Time, 2.32.8. trainer, R Dunn.
0w pacers, mobile, 1950m (first heat): Hilarious Jewel P Court 1; Touch Of Silver 2; Livesy 3. Seven started. 3/4L; nk. Time, 2.30.6. Trainers, G and P Court.
Second heat: Dominus Vobiscum B Orange 1; Smokey Hobbs 2; Gretna's Best 3. Eight started. 1L; 1 1/4L. Time, 2.27.7. Trainers, M Purdon and G Payne.
0-3w pacers, 1950m: Joyfuljoy B Orange 1; Lancome 2; Live Dangerously 3. Eight started. Ns; nk. Time, 2.32.4. Trainers, M Purdon and G Payne.
0w pacers, 2000m: Russley Rascal M Purdon 1; Courage To Love 2; Surf And Sand 3. Eight started. 1 1/2L; ns Time, 2.37.8. Trainers, M Purdon and G Payne.
0w trotters, 2600m: Wax And Wane J Dunn 1; Ruby N Diamonds 2; Imace Girl 3. Eight started. 1/2hd; 3/4L. Time, 3.34.2. Trainer, R Woolford.
0w pacers, 2600m: Dan's Girl S Walkinshaw 1; Not Home Enough 2; Henry Morgan 3. Eight started. 1/2L; 2 1/4L. Time, 3.25.1. Trainer, D Quinn.
0w pacxers, 2600m: U Can I Can S Walkinshaw 1; Mette Marit 2; Bonnie Sundon 3. Seven started. 1/2hd; 1/2L. Time, 3.35.8. Trainer, D Quinn.
1w pacers, 2600m: Roseaire B Rennie 1; Four Starzzz Flash 2; Eastwood Aurora 3. Nine started.1/2hd; 1 3/4L. Time, 3.32.6. Trainer, J Parsons.
1w trotters, 2600m: Cullen's Rocket C De Filippi 1; Exile 2; In Like Magic 3. Four started. 1/2hd; 2 1/4L. Time, 3.32.3. Trainer, M O'Leary.
2w+ pacers, 2600m: Karloo Mick 40 B Lew 1; B Grudge 20 2; Bondy 40 3. Seven started. 1 1/4L; 2L. Time, 3.16.1. Trainer, B Lew.
3w+ trotters, 2600m: Awesome Imace 30 P Wakelin 1; Summer Man 20 2; Have Faith fr 3. Five started. Nk; 7L. Time, 3.32.1. Trainers, P Wakelin and S Noble.
