The Oamaru-based Gorilla Playboy might just have graduated out of pre-school following his impressive victory in race 2, a non-winners' trot.
Colin McKay has called on the services of Oamaru driver Matthew Williamson for many of the Monkey Bone gelding's race starts, and the in-form reinsman was back in the sulky again yesterday, sending him to the lead shortly after the start, despite some early jitters.
''He's got some ability, but he's still growing up yet,'' McKay said.
''He still thinks he's at kindergarten, I think.''
''Hopefully the teacher here can keep him under control,'' McKay said, nodding at Williamson.
A trip to Cromwell on Tuesday was forgettable when the crupper came off over the tail shortly after the start and Williamson was forced to pull the 4yr-old up.
''I replaced it with a tail-tie crupper today and it worked,'' McKay said.
''We'll probably go again in a fortnight here and then decide if he goes out [to spell] for a wee while.''
Memorable day for Hari
Scotty's Image continued an unusual trend for Diane Hari's Oamaru stable when he broke through for his first win at start number 15.
Scotty's Image provided Hari with her first win on her home track after 21 years with a trainer's licence.
Hari's husband, Kapa, was not on course yesterday, as superstition played its part.
Hari's last winner was Mantovani at Forbury Park in May, 2011.
''It's quite funny, because Kapa did most of the training with Mantovani in the cart because he pulled.
''The time I took him to Forbury, he won and [Kapa] wasn't there.
''Today, he was thinking it could be luck [to not be there].''
Hari praised her husband for putting in the time and effort with the 6yr-old gelding, and hopes the best is yet to come with the son of Sands A Flyin, who was bred out of their mare, Under Redemption.
''He's the one who's done 99% of the work [with the horse]. I've done his three last fast works for him but I don't even think he's fit yet. After today, I think for next week, he'll strip fitter.''
Taylor thrilled
It is never wise to leave Live The Dream out of quinella, trifecta and First4 bets, but he went one better yesterday for the sixth time as a trotter.
The 10yr-old gelding - who won three races as a pacer before switching to trotting - had placed no fewer than 32 times in his 56-start career before yesterday and his Ashburton trainer, Donald Taylor, was overjoyed with yesterday's victory.
The son of Live Or Die had not won in 30 starts since winning at the corresponding meeting at Oamaru in January 2012, although injuries had a part to play.
''He loves work but he's broken down four times,'' Taylor said.
''Last year, he tore a back tendon sheath. The vet said four times he'll never race again.''
Taylor will keep Live The Dream racing around the Canterbury circuit as the season rolls on.
''As long as he's sound, he'll always be there ready to go.''
Race abandoned
Race 9 was abandoned after driver Jessica Young was dislodged from the sulky behind Breeny's Smile at the start of the 2600m trot.
The horse continued to gallop, knocking out marker pegs on the inside of the track and inconveniencing other runners as he surged to the head of the field.
The race was halted when the field made it back to the starting point, and was officially abandoned as the runners had travelled more than 1000m.
It was perhaps appropriate that Young won the following race on the aptly named Mixed Emotions for her father, Paul.
