Centreofattention, who has not raced for three months, won a heat at the Ashburton trials yesterday.
The Tim Butt and Phil Anderson-trained Centreofattention won four races last season, including his first start at Rangiora in December and his last at Addington on July 9.
He ran his last 800m in 57.5 and 400m in 27 yesterday. His stablemate, the unraced Eric, ran the fastest 2400m (mobile) yesterday of 3.03.9, the last 800m in 56.8. He is a 3yr-old by Elsu-Whats The Score.
Results. -
Qualifying test, pacers, 2400m: Mansel Thomas M Kerr 1; Nigella Franco 2; Toriana 3. Eight started. 4L, 5L. Time, 3.06.6 (six qualified). Trainer, P Kerr.
Qualifying test, trotters, 2400m: Commanda Mission G O'Reilly 1; Mamselle 2; Lets Play 3. Five started. 7L, 1L. Time, 3.18.1 (four, not second horse, qualified). Trainer, G O'Reilly.
Qualifying test, pacers, mobile, 2400m: Bwana N McGrath 1; Mick Ison 2; Wilusi Blues 3. Four started. 2L, L. Time, 3.05.2 (four qualified). Trainer, N McGrath.
0-1w pacers, mobile, 2400m: Eric G Smith 1; Alchemy 2; Tony Christie 3. Seven started. L, 5L. Time, 3.03.9. Trainers, T Butt and P Anderson.
1-3w pacers, mobile, 2400m: Smooth Julius T Chmiel 1; The Big Mach 2; Bus To Harland 3. Four started. Nk, nk. Time, 3.07.3. Trainers, T and G Chmiel.
0w pacers, 2400m (first heat): Lively Atom G O'Reilly 1; Court Jasper 2; Miss Doris 3. Seven started. 2 Hd, 2L. Time, 3.09.6. Trainer, G O'Reilly.
Second heat: Balishka R May 1; Hot Wired 2; Rebel Skipper 3. S0even started. Hd, nse. Time, 3.14.4. Trainer, B Mowbray.
0w trotters, 2400m: Distribution M Tapper 1; Looking At The Stars 2; Who's That Lady 3. Three started. L, hd. Time, 3.18.4. Trainer, M Tapper.
1-3w trotters, 2400m: Perfect For Us D McCormick 1; Have Faith 10 2; Waihemo Sam 3. Seven started. Nse, 2L. Time, 3.13. Trainer, D McCormick.
1-3w pacers, 2400m: Centreofattention 10 C Butt 1; Hoon Hay 10 2; Chain Of Command 3. Nine started. 1L, L. Time, 3.04.5. Trainers, T Butt and P Anderson.
4w+ trotters, 2400m: Houdini Star 30 J Hay 1; Roydon Flash 30 2; Stylish Monarch 3. Four started. 2L, hd. Time, 3.10. Trainer, J Hay.
• Karloo Mick, an entrant for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, resumed racing with a win over 1700m (mobile) at a non-TAB meeting at Eugowra, New South Wales on Monday.
The 9yr-old ran the distance in a 1.58 mile rate and won by a head. He had not raced since finishing second to Blacks A Fake in the Winter Cup at Albion Park on July 25.
• Lethal Rocket has his first start since joining the Burnham stable of Mark Jones, at Addington on Friday night.
Jones drove Lethal Rocket in his three wins when the gelding was trained by Dean Taylor. Lethal Rocket won the $117,000 Yearling Sales Pace at Alexandra Park in 2007 at his only start as a 2yr-old.
• Trainer Robert Dunn has paid up with Niraadi, Rider On The Storm and Corka Dream in the Methven Cup on Sunday.
Niraadi won at Motukarara last Sunday when Rider On The Storm finished third. Dunn trained and drove That's That to win the 1987 Methven Cup.
• Don Keyote is back with Kevin Townley after a stint with Warren Stapleton. Don Keyote won at Invercargill in January from eight starts for Stapleton. The 8yr-old has won five races for Townley.
L E Operative is a newcomer to the West Melton stable of Ken Barron. The 6yr-old won six races when trained by Sue Martin at Pakiri Beach.
