Coaster heading to Cup week

Three year old pacer Coaster (Downbytheseaside) is on the float tonight (Oct. 26) heading to harness racing’s pinnacle, Cup Week at Addington.

Trained at Macca Lodge by Brent McIntyre the target is The Macca Lodge South of the Waitaki, a race he sponsors which is run on Show Day.

Coaster was made favourite today on the back of three great runs amongst some top company. The horse has provided his stable with a few challenges on the way through.

“It’s taken a while to get his shoeing sorted. At his second start he got on a knee and got a bit lost when they dashed the quarter in 26. Last start he was massive in defeat to Craig’s (Ferguson) very nice horse Rustenburg (Captaintreacherous). He finally got the job done today,” stable spokesperson Bronson Munro said.

Munro gave credit to trainer Brent McIntyre and his son Caine who share in the ownership of the colt.

“Macca has worked really hard to get this horse shod right. He managed to get that spot on today and Blair said be paced beautifully. We’ve found that he has to have a fresh set of shoes so you can’t let them wear out. We change his shoes no more than a week from when he races and that seems to be the best recipe for him. Caine’s actually been driving him for that last two weeks too.”

Driver Blair Orange secured the trail as first starter Forever Arden (Always B Miki) opened the throttle to lead. But Forever Arden got the stitch at the 450 and started to drag Coaster back as other runners were improving their positions for the run home.

“The race probably wasn’t run to suit him. That one that lead (Forever Arden) was coming back in his face in a big hurry so he had to come round a few but he clicked through his gears and got to the line easy.”

COASTER REPLAY

So it’s off to Cup Week.

“We’re targeting the South of the Waitaki but if anyone wants to buy him, he is for sale (laughter).”

Coaster will be stabled at Rakero Lodge for Cup Week.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink