White may break own record today

Ultimate Fella, shown winning at Forbury Park in December, is one of eight runners Temuka trainer Brent White has entered at Timaru today. Photo by Jonny Turner.
Ultimate Fella, shown winning at Forbury Park in December, is one of eight runners Temuka trainer Brent White has entered at Timaru today. Photo by Jonny Turner.
Temuka trainer Brent White looks poised to break his record for most wins in a season.

White has notched 17 wins since August, which equals his previous highest number of wins in a season which he notched twice, in two full racing seasons.

He has eight runners entered at Timaru today, all of which have strong winning claims.

White's day starts with what could be his most talented runner in One Over Da Stars.

The maiden trotter has shown him plenty of potential, but her race-day manners have not been of a similar standard.

''We just have to wait for the penny to drop and she won't be far away,'' White said.

The trainer's winning chances in today's opener are only enhanced by the more reliable Troy Castleton. The trotter notched a third and fourth in two starts on the West Coast Christmas circuit.

''He went to the coast on the back of one trial and did a good job over there.''

''He has the manners, whereas she doesn't.''

Many would consider Ultimate Fella to be White's best horse, especially given the strong record he has already put together.

''He is probably a wee bit underrated, really. He has only had 15 starts and he's won five.''

White lines up last-start winner Extreme Guest and Ultimate Fella in race 9 today.

Ultimate Fella's wide draw over the race's shorter distance could be somewhat negated by tempo.

''[Over] 2000m, there looks to be a bit of speed inside us, the way Boomer Bailey went the other day and one or two others.''

''Hopefully, they run along a bit.''

Regardless, White's pair will need to be on their games as they face several in-form runners including Benicio, Christopher Banner and Rocki Warrior.

Trotter Trouble Giero has trained on well since being beaten as favourite when tiring into fourth at Oamaru last week.

''He has trained on nice. I have taken him off the unruly; I hope I have done the right thing there; he has been stepping away well. I think he is an each-way chance.''

White rates fellow stable trotter Bear's Resta a sneaky hope in race 6 today.

''We will just be trying find a few shortcuts, but if he doesn't have to do too much work I'm sure he will be running on at the business end.''

Stable runner Wobbegong did not get that kind of luck when he needed it when third at Refton in his last start, driver John Dunn reported to White.

The pacer is a challenging horse to train as he puts weight on easily between races.

''He has been a funny horse. He is a big, gross-doing horse. He catches me all the time. I should know better. But he comes back home and he does that well.''

Cully Backy has not finished further back than sixth since joining White's stable in November.

Since then, his trainer and driver have agreed the horse is best saved for one late run. Given that, drawing 16 in race 8 today is not of concern to his trainer.

''He is sort of a one-trick pony a wee bit. He is best driven with one run.

''The-second line draw is not the worst draw. If they run along he will be smoking home at the end of it.''

-By Jonny Turner

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