Lather Up gelding provides first win for Pearson

Templeton trainer Jeremy Pearson trained his first harness racing winner yesterday when Coba Charged (Lather Up) took out the Wouldn’t Be Here Without Ted & Di Enright pace, with Sam Thornley in the sulky.

“It’s bloody brilliant,” said Pearson.

It was Pearson’s eleventh race as a trainer, and only the second this season. It was Coba Charged’s ninth career start and maiden victory.

Coba Charged made a good beginning from the outside of the tapes to be in the one out one back position briefly before being left parked. Over-racing in the parked position, Coba Charged had a couple of unsuccessful digs for the lead.

Thornley finally reached the lead around the 400m, going on to a tenacious victory by half a head at the line.

“He’s been a bit of a challenge, and he does get on the nickel a bit but we got there in the end playing around with him.

“He had a few tie-up issues as a two year old, but we got around that one. It’s just getting him to race kindly is the next thing.”

Pearson also owns Coba Charged, who started his racing career with Regan Todd, placing on two occasions as a two year old.

“I bought two at the weanling sales, him and Cyclone Sala who won last week (June 27) at Alexandra Park. It’s been nice having two come out and have success within a week.”

COBA CHARGED REPLAY

“We will space his (Coba Charged’s) races a bit, and have a couple more starts then give him a bit of a breather. We will try to give him more education and get him to race kindly.”

Pearson’s introduction to the sulky was a little uncanny – but nevertheless bug-inducing.

“Wendy Devenport had a horse called Uncle Drew who pulled a lot, so she needed a driver. So the next day I went around, jumped in the sulky, and he pulled me around for 400m before I could pull him up.”

Pearson currently trains out of the Kevin and Bonnie Williams’ property at Templeton.

Other highlights on the card included a double for driver Ricky May (Shadow Creek/Brent Weaver and The Coalman/Mark Jones), while John Howe trained KD Grins to a maiden victory for the race day he sponsored.

For complete Addington results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand