Kyle gets a double

It was a day for the smaller trainers at Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Ascot Park today (Jun. 5). 

Alister Kyle from Winton trains a small team. Today he achieved a first in having two of his charges win at the same meeting: Ask Me Lou (Sweet Lou) and Terror Cove (Pegasus Spur). 

In the Southfish Mobile Pace, Kyle and Ask Me Lou got into an early speed duel with Santeria (Bettor’s Delight) before finally getting to the front halfway down the back straight. With a lap to run Peter Hunter and Bettor Be Watching (He’s Watching) came looking and Kyle handed up.  

“She’s pretty hard work and you have to keep at her all the way. It probably suited her today because they were pretty even halves. The intention was to lead all the way. I knew Pete’s horse (Bettor Be Watching) was the one to beat so I was quite happy to hand up to him,” Kyle said. 

With 700 metres to run Ask Me Lou was under a drive and Kyle pulled the ear plugs early. Halfway down the straight it looked like Bettor Be Watching was in for her maiden win but Ask Me Lou kept coming and got up to win by a length and a half from Chemmy (Auckland Reactor) who came home late. 

“I knew 100 metres out that she was going to wear the pacemaker down because she doesn’t stop.”  

ASK ME LOU REPLAY

Owned by Alister and his wife Vicki, Ask Me Lou was bought as a yearling at the last All Age Sale in Christchurch. 

“She was always very weak (but) she showed us this time last year when she ran a couple of seconds that she could do it.” 

The win was a real family affair with daughter Tash on hand to cheer Ask Me Lou home. 

“Tash normally drives her in work, at the workouts and trials, so she’s probably more excited than me. Hopefully Tash will carry on.” 

Alister’s father Bill trained twenty five winners in the thirty three season he held a license. He trained champion mare Bonnies Chance (Majestic Chance) to win her first six races. 

The win today by Alister equalled his late father’s tally of twenty five. His last training and driving success was with Kyle Loch (One Over Da Moon) in July 2022. 

Two races later Kyle was at it again, winning with trotter Terror Cove. 

He leases the gelding from breeder Murray Darnill, and is the horses third trainer. Terror Cove qualified at Rangiora in June 2012 as a three year old for Coaster Howe. After a handful of starts he spent time with Gore trainer Tony Stratford before Kyle took over. 

“I’ve had a bit of luck with Murray over the years. It was back in October and the horse had had quite a few trainers and Murray offered him to me to train. I didn’t really want him. He convinced me to take him but I told him the horse was going to the paddock for three months. I’m pretty lucky because I’ve got a sister that farms at Garston so the horse went there for three months to help him think about things and mature,” Kyle said. 

In today’s race Terror Cove settled in third place. When Rewiri Hill (Muscle Hill) took over with 1600 metres to run he was four back on the inside. Turning in Terror Cove was last but starting to make his run. After Kyle got him balanced the gelding stormed home to win under his own steam by a neck. Rewiri Hill ran second and favourite Del’s Creation (Creatine) was one and a quarter lengths back in third. 

“I do quite like him. He wears half hopples for his confidence. I intended to give him a sit today because in his last few starts I’ve driven him quite hard. He finished it off nicely.” 

TERROR COVE REPLAY

Today was the geldin’g’s thirteenth start. 

“We may give him another start but he will go out for another break. He’s still got a lot of maturing to do.” 

Kyle trained Yelande (Continentalman) for Darnill to win in March 2012. Both Yelande and Terror Cove stem from the mare Little Miss Watch (Armbro Invasion) which Darnill raced in the early 90s. She won three races for three different trainers: Shane Matheson, Ray Jenkins and Dick Prendergast.  

As a broodmare she fashioned an excellent record leaving Sun Watch (7 wins), Flying Hardwick (22), Musgrove (16) and Aleana (6). 

Today was certainly a day for trainers with smaller teams. Joining Kyle with winners today were Earl Swain (Lorton Vale), Alan Shaw (Superfastsuperstar), Aaron Swain (Ideal Double) and Denis O’Connell (Aveross Majesty).  

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink