Big expectations for Kiwi trotter making Australian debut

With a hefty price tag comes big expectations and that’s certainly the case for New Zealand harness racing speed machine Chinese Whisper.

Trainer Andy Gath revealed prominent owner Norm Jenkin forked out the most he ever has for a Kiwi trotter to secure the six-year-old, who is poised to make his Australian debut on Saturday night.

He set the scene for the weekend’s Aldebaran Park Trot at Tabcorp Park Melton with an impressive trial win at the same track on Tuesday. He led and cleared out to win by nearly 20m while recording a 57.03sec last half and 27.34sec final quarter.

“He’s another one that came on the market. He was probably going to get sold to Australia regardless, so instead of him being competition we thought we better get him ourselves,” Gath said.

“It’s the most we’ve spent on a trotter from New Zealand and it’s probably the one that’s come with the most expectation too.

“He’s got the highest expectation because we’ve paid the most for him.”

Chinese Whisper was previously trained and driven in New Zealand by Nathan Williamson, who won eight of 19 starts with the son of Sundon.

His biggest success came when he sprinted past Kiwi star Oscar Bonavena to claim the Trotters Flying Mile at Addington in April last year.

“He hasn’t had a lot of mobile racing. Most of his racing has been over the standing starts so he’s a good standing start horse,” Gath said.

“But he left the mobile really quick at the trials today so I don’t think the mobile is going to be a problem for him.

“Obviously most of the big races have passed us by (this year), but we hope he measures up to the Inter Dominion and all the big races going forward.”

Gath said Chinese Whisper had only been at his Long Forest property for a couple of weeks, but had shown good ability.

“He gives a good sign that he’s well above average. He does it easy,” he said.

“The owner is excited, the driver is excited today after the trials and the trainer is excited going forward for what he may be able to do.”

Chinese Whisper has drawn gate five for Saturday night’s Aldebaran Park Trot, with the feature on the nine-race card being the Group 2 Hygain La Coocaracha Trotters Free For All.

To view the fields for Melton on Saturday night click here.

By Tim O’Connor for HRV