Two Canterbury trips loom in trainer's quest for Riverton start
The Tui Toiler ran off in a race at Gore on Sunday and must now trial to the satisfaction of a steward at two trial meetings before racing again.
Jamie Searle is a long-time racing writer. For more of his work head to Southland Thoroughbreds Facebook page.
With no official trials in Southland and Otago, trainer Stephen Blair-Edie will make two trips to Canterbury with The Tui Toiler in the hope of gaining a clearance to race him at Riverton on Easter Monday, April 10.
The Tui Toiler ran off in a race at Gore on Sunday and must now trial to the satisfaction of a steward at two trial meetings before racing again.
The gelding was leading in race seven at Gore when he ran off on the bend leaving the front straight, near the 1600m. He lost considerable ground, but got going again at the back of the field at the 1200m. For the remainder of the race The Tui Toiler raced mostly wide and finished last of eight runners.
The stewards' report said: "As this was the third occasion that the gelding had proved difficult to steer or run off during a race the connections were advised The Tui Toiler must complete two official trials to the satisfaction of stewards prior to racing next."
Blair-Edie has already nominated The Tui Toiler for trials on the synthetic track at Riccarton on Tuesday. The trainer and horse will be back on State Highway 1 for a set of trials at Ashburton on April 4.
The horseman will race three of his team - Choux In, Claudius Maximuss and Imblaze - at Wingatui on Monday and will then travel to Christchurch with The Tui Toiler that night.
The race planned for The Tui Toiler at Riverton is the Southern Champion Hack Handicap.