One line from Eion Latimer sums up why Jaspers Blue Jean is still racing after 220 starts.
''If he was any smaller, we'd keep him in the house.''
The 10yr-old broke Greg Brydon's record for most starts by a standardbred in New Zealand when he ran seventh at Forbury Park on Friday night.
But for Oamaru-based Latimer and his family, the placid gelding is pretty much a pet - although for a while, Latimer reckons Ned (Jaspers Blue Jean's stable name) was paying his own way, too.
''When I first got him, it was like having a DPB account - you got a cheque every week.''
The son of Village Jasper was no youngster bouncing around the paddock when the Latimers took over the ownership and training in May 2010.
His previous trainer, Ian Cameron, first lined him up as a 3yr-old at Westport in December 2006 and gave him 122 starts before Latimer took him over.
Two of Jaspers Blue Jean's wins were for Cameron, but Latimer won twice with him in the first few months of having him.
His favourite win was at Gore in August 2010 after driver Matthew Williamson asked Latimer if the horse could pace 2.48 for the 2200m.
''I said, 'He can do it easy'. He said, `Right, take him to Gore', so I did and he led all the way and won.''
Remarkably, after 220 starts and countless laps around Forbury Park when Latimer was based in Dunedin and his current base at Oamaru racecourse, Jaspers Blue Jean's injury list is minimal.
''There's not a blemish on any leg and he still lines up to work. He gets cranky if you don't work him.
''But the day at Methven in the snow [in October 2010], he went really good and ran fifth.
"He came back straight after the race and was shivering and shivering. Then we started him in the Tuapeka Cup and he went awful.
''He was actually coughing up green phlegm and it took us three weeks to get it sorted out. I think that actually affected his lungs - it's almost like an asthma-type thing.''
''But he just works as good as he's ever worked.''
Rather than suffering from nausea from so many laps, Ned thrives on the work, and knows his training routine back to front.
''Working him at home at Oamaru, you don't even tie him up. You take the gear off, walk to the wash and he follows you.
''He and Motu Speedy Star - they're a great advertisement for Village Jasper. They just keep grinding and there's not a mark on them. He's a real character, a lovely horse to work with.
''My jog cart's done over 30,000km and he's been on it most of the time.''
Latimer knows the end is near with Jaspers Blue Jean.
A home has already been found for him in Dunback, where he will become a show horse for a teenage girl, probably by the end of this winter.
''She's watched every race since she's known she's getting him.''
If Latimer does decide to give Jaspers Blue Jean his final break come the end of the winter, the record will be set at perhaps somewhere close to 230 starts.
''It's not a record that everybody would want but you wouldn't even know he's had a race [tonight].
''Ian gave him 50 starts in one year. He was iron horse of the year.''
Just don't expect Latimer to be helping Jasper on to the float for one last time - he reckons it could be too emotional.
''I won't be there the day they take him away. It'll be a bit tough.''
Jaspers Blue Jean
For the record
220 starts: four wins, 19 seconds, 18 thirds, 26 fourths, 18 fifths.
Most NZ starts
Jaspers Blue Jean 220
Greg Brydon 219
Stormy Loch 210
Idle Scott 209
