Downbytheseaside gelding breaks maidens at start 20

Eion Latimer was thrilled to see Wavewatcher (Downbytheseaside) live up to his potential and finally break maidens at Oamaru yesterday.

Despite showing his trainer plenty of promise much earlier in his harness racing career, it took until the four-year-old’s 20th start for him to finally deliver on it.

Plenty of head-scratching has gone on at Latimer’s Oamaru stable following Wavewatcher’s defeats.

But recently, that has all but ended thanks to the help of veterinarian Richard Turner.

“I think he will end up being the best horse I have trained, but we have had a lot of trouble getting his blood (levels) right,” Latimer said.

“But we think we are on the right track now with the help of Richard Turner.”

Latimer has always had plenty of faith in Wavewatcher, who the trainer races with his daughter Jacqui.

“Ever since he was two, he showed us a lot, but he would let us down in his races,” Latimer said.

“Even in his trackwork, he would work unbelievable and wouldn’t show it at the races.”

“It has been frustrating, but we seem to be on the right track now.”

“We have to keep his blood (levels) right and keep monitoring them.”

“Things like stress and the heat can put his blood out.”

“So, we are working him less than we were; he hasn’t had any hopple runs since his last start.”

“This morning he was really well, and I thought he might go pretty good.”

“So long as we keep working with Richard, we should be able to keep things under control.”

WAVEWATCHER REPLAY

Yesterday’s races were hosted by the Forbury Park Trotting Club, and Latimer is no stranger to success at the club’s meetings.

Latimer trained 26 winners before the last meeting was held at the club’s former home Forbury Park track in Dunedin in 2021.

That tally is more than half of Latimer’s career tally of 46 victories.

Though the Oamaru trainer bolstered his stats with the Forbury Park Trotting Club, he is still in search of a breakthrough win at Oamaru Harness Racing Club meetings.

“I have trained at Oamaru for 13 years, and I haven’t won at an Oamaru meeting in all that time.”

“I have won races at the Oamaru track, Forbury meetings, and plenty of Kurow meetings but never at an Oamaru meeting at Oamaru.”

If Latimer can keep Wavewatcher improving his form, he might get the chance to complete his quest to win a race at an Oamaru Harness Racing Club meeting in early March.

Before then, the Waikouaiti Trotting Club will race at Oamaru next month.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand