Amistozo does it easily on debut

There have undoubtedly been some challenges, but Amistozo’s (Creatine) win at Oamaru yesterday rewarded her trainer and owners for their patience.

The three year old trotting filly was slow away and took a few fancy steps before she settled. Once over the crossing, trainer driver John Morrison took her forward to sit parked before she trotted to the lead.

“She bobbled for a couple of strides but she settled really quick. I was quite happy with her because six months ago if she galloped, she would gallop for eight hundred metres,” he said.

Amistozo went down to the line to win by a length from Bacardi Doll.

“She’s got a really good turn of foot and is a good stayer.”

Prior to her debut she’d had four workouts and one trial, winning four. Two of her workout wins were on the grass at Mt Harding Raceway so she was well schooled for yesterday’s grass track win.

“She took a lot of time to get going and learn the ringcraft. She wears an under check to keep her head down. Sometimes she’d get her head up a bit high and get a bit wobbly. She’s really turned a corner, has a really good gait and she wants to do it.”

Bred by Steve and Natalie Roulston who also race her, Amistozo is out of Sueno, a Dream Vacation half-sister to millionaire trotter Speeding Spur.

“They gave her a lot of time out at their place and Steve jogged her up. Everyone has been patient and it’s definitely helped her.”

Roulston still holds a training licence and his biggest success was with Bobs Blue Boy on this course in 2005 when the gelding won the Hannon Memorial.

Yesterday’s win highlights what a great season Morrison is having. The win was his twenty seventh as a trainer, doubling his previous personal best tally of thirteen.

“I’ve got a lot of good owners and a lot of good helpers. Nicole (Harris) my partner gears them up and does all the jobs on the grounds. Jim Veint is my main man and he’s as good as three men. He and I do the fast work. Greg Tait works for us part-time and Bondy (Graham Bond) helps do the boxes.”

John says of all the stable runners Heaven’s Mark (Rock N Roll Heaven) who’s won five of her seventeen starts is one to follow.

“I know she’s already six, but with another year on her she could be a nice mare. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s in some of the good mares races at some point.”

Later in the programme Morrison reined roughie Franco Josiah to win for Ben Waldron.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink