Balle has another nice trotter

Pukekohe harness racing trainer Derek Balle certainly looks to have another quality trotter in his barn, judging by the way Dream Of You (Love You) won last night at Alexandra Park in Auckland.

“We’ve always had a high opinion of him, but he’s taken a while because he’s had a few niggly splint issues. But he’s always had a motor,” Balle said.

In last night’s Garrards Horse and Hound Pukekohe Handicap Trot, driver Zachery Butcher was in the trail early before taking the lead with two laps to run. In the home straight Dream Of You came away to win impressively by two and three quarter lengths from favourite Springbank Mason (Majestic Son).

“Zac said when he was in the trail he was just cruising. But once he got to the front he just grabbed the bit and was very strong. No doubt he’ll be heading to the front most of the time now. (laughter).”

Although Dream Of You started from the unruly, Balle estimates that will soon change.

“He’s always had a bit of a hitchy gait and early on he bobbled away. He wears aluminium shoes so he hasn’t got a lot of weight on. I was talking to Zac last night and the horse is probably due to come off the unruly. He’s getting solid now and in his last seven or eight starts he’s trotted away well.”

Three of Dream of You’s four wins have now been at Alexandra Park with the other at Cambridge.

DREAM OF YOU REPLAY

“He’s won once at Cambridge when the Auckland track got washed out. He’s never been as comfortable left handed but we didn’t have an option. He tracks good in the straights at Cambridge but struggles round the bends. But he has got better and in his last start there he ran away.”

Balle says Butcher also has a high opinion of the horse.

“Zac told me a couple of starts ago that the horse gives him the feel of being a Rowe Cup horse in twelve months which is always nice to hear. If we travel down to Addington, or Aussie, I’m sure he’ll be okay (going that way) in another six to twelve months.”

Balle has had success racing trotters in Australia, with Galleons Sunset (Sundon) winning the Bill Collins Mile and Interdominion Trotting Championship Final, Martina H (the Dullard Cup, Holmfield and Interdominion Heat) and the Miami H (Breeders Crown).

“Most of the time we’ve come back with a bit of money and a trophy. We’re just about due to go over there again. I won’t be scared to go with him with another twelve months on him.”

Dream Of You was bred by Jack and Joan Davies, Margaret Plane, Mrs J Sutherland and Jonathan Hope. They also race the gelding.

The Davies have a farm at Gordonton. They milked and showed Jersey Cows in the early days and raced Paramount Geegee (Pegasus Spur) and Flying Isa (Pegasus Spur) both of whom won seventeen races.

“They’re lovely people who rear and graze their horses at Gordonton. They do well there, and they come into work well fed and really strong. They spell a few horses, and their farm is now an agistment farm.”

Dream Of You’s dam Paramount Dream (Pegasus Spur) won eight races for John and Joshua Dickie. She’s out of the wonderful mare Paramount Star (Sundon) which left Paramount Geegee (Pegasus Spur) whose wins included the Three Year Old Ruby, Northern Trotting Derby and New Zealand Derby, all Group One races. Paramount Star also left Paramount Queen (Love You) and Paramount King (Love You) which won eight races apiece. An unraced filly out of Paramount Star, Paramount Faith (Pegasus Spur) is the mother of champion trotter Muscle Mountain, (Muscle Hill) the winner of twenty eight races.

Balle has a half-brother to Dream Of You in the stable named Dreams Pat (Father Patrick).

“He’s a very nice horse. He’s better gaited. It’s always easy to say you’ve got a nice horse at home but he’s going to the qualifying trials today at Pukekohe. We’ll give him a couple of weeks off and aim him for the Sires Stakes and the Ace of Clubs ($100,000) at Addington in December.”

He says Paramount Dream is deceased.

“She died giving birth so it’s really disappointing because the way her first two foals go, I would have loved to have had more of that breed.”

However the way Dream Of You is shaping up there’s still plenty on the upside.

“He is getting a lot stronger, and Zac’s done a great job in looking after him. He’s got manners now and it’s all coming together so touch wood it’s all coming to fruition.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink