Aroha gets the Gold

Winton harness racing trainer Lauren Pearson has turned around the fortunes of six year old trotting mare Aroha (Love You). And rewarding her owner’s patience, she won her first race today at the Young Quinn Raceway in Wyndham.

Aroha qualified at Rangiora in February 2021 for part-owner and trainer Bob Butt. But after furthers trials and workouts she was deemed too immature to race.

“Bob said his grandfather (Robin Butt) reckoned she was weak. So back in the day they used to put them in foal to strengthen them up and obviously it’s worked,” Pearson said.

In October 2023, Aroha produced a Father Patrick colt foal that was named Justify.

She was then put back in work and had four race day outings for Bob before she was sent south.

“He also said that the 15 to 16 horse fields in Canterbury made it too hard if you don’t step away.”

In today’s Franks Motorcycles Gold Chip Final, driver Brent Barclay got Aroha away well from the pole with Madison’s Moon leading early. Justine Jaccka took over with 1000 metres to run, leaving Aroha three back on the fence. Inside the last 800 metres Barclay got his charge off the fence to follow around the favourite Practical Magic. Turning in, Barclay moved one further spot out to get on the back of Styrax before coming to the middle of the track. Aroha let down nicely to beat Practical Magic by two lengths with Styrax three quarters of a length back in third.

AROHA REPLAY

Aroha is raced by Robin, his wife Jackie and Bob Butt, as was well as a number of other owners. Her dam Kurien is an unraced Sundon mare out of Enthuse. Enthuse as a broodmare left Enthusiast (11 wins), Call You Later (9) and Inspire (9).

Going into today’s $15,000 final Pearson said she wasn’t overly confident the six year old would win.

“We thought she would need the run today because it’s been a couple of weeks since Invercargill and with the class of horses behind her (20 metres). But she got the right run.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink