Kiwi Record overcomes adversity to win

Robbie Holmes completed a weekend of dual code success when Kiwi Record (Rock N Roll Heaven) ran to harness racing victory at Addington on Sunday (Jul 30).

Holmes sent Kiwi Record straight to the lead in race 3 before the three-year-old fought off his challengers to score.

The pacer is the third generation of winners trained and driven by Holmes for his co-owners and breeders Hamish Scott and Dr Kim Lawson.

Holmes trained Kiwi Record’s dam Kiwi On Show and the pacer’s granddam, the classy mare Kiwi Ingenuity.

Kiwi On Show didn’t reach the heights her superstar mother did, but she clearly had a motor when almost breaking her New Zealand record at the time.

“She went 0.1sec outside Kiwi Ingenuity’s record, she went 1.52.2 and her mother went 1.51.1,” Holmes said.

“That was her best day in the sun.”

Kiwi Record was a chance of never making it to the races after suffering an injury as a foal, but he has defied the odds to become a winner in his seventh start.

“He actually lacks a tendon,” Holmes said.

“He had an accident as a foal and the nearside tendon that goes to the cannon bone was cut.”

“We thought he was brown bread at that stage but (vet) Becky Sutorious said no I have seen horses go on to race after having this.”

Kiwi Record certainly didn’t show any signs that he had overcome such adversity with the way he powered to the line when challenged in the home straight on Sunday.

“His gait is really good,” Holmes said.

“He stepped really good and it was good to be able to get him to the front – the Kiwi horses seem to be at their best when they are able to lead.”

KIWI RECORD REPLAY

Kiwi Record is the first foal from Kiwi On Show, Holmes, Scott and Lawson also have a Captain Crunch yearling from the mare who will come back into work on Monday.

Robbie Holmes was also successful as a trainer when Tyagonal cleared maidens at Riccarton on Friday.

Much like Kiwi Record, the three-year-old shot straight to the lead and couldn’t be caught by his rivals.

The horse is one of two gallopers Holmes has in work following a recent retirement in his galloping team.

Tyagonal will now be aimed at the middle day of the Grand National Carnival.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand