Kotare Kelso impressive winning maiden race

Swannanoa harness racing trainer Ross Houghton was delighted when Kotare Kelso (Always B Miki) took out the Harrison Bloy Plumbing & Bathrooms Mobile pace at Addington last night.

“It was very good,” said Houghton.

Kotare Kelso and driver Tim Williams settled midfield, one out one back, during the early part of the race. Williams then launched the son of

Always B Miki from the 430m mark to sustain a long run to the line, to beat runner up Magician. The overall time for the 1980m mobile was 2:23.9, with a fast 1:56.9 mile rate.

“He’s always shown a bit of speed, but did have a few gait problems early on like cross firing. But every time he’s come back in he’s just gotten better and better.”

“I’ve had him right from day dot – breaking him in right through to now.”

Houghton is no stranger to the family of Kotare Kelso, having trained his relation Kotare Yolande, thus cementing a partnership with owner Tony and Gay Abell.

“I got him through Tony Abell. I had a horse from John Dunn called Kotare Yolande who Tony owned and was a bit of a handful. I won a race with it and Tony just stuck with me from there really.”

As to where Houghton lines up Kotare Kelso next, it’s looking likely to be as soon as next week.

“There’s a good race next week for $30,000 at Addington. He’s put his hand up, is a good follower of speed so he deserves a chance in a race with a good stake.”

Houghton has now trained 12 winners with stake earnings of over $115,000.

Other highlights of the night were doubles for trainers Mark Jones and Brent and Tim White, as well as for driver Sarah O’Reilly who now sits on 299 career wins.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand