McKendry wins Three Wise Men challenge

Bluto (Sweet Lou) continued the outstanding partnership between Graeme Anderson and Brent White when winning the Little Green Jug at Methven on Sunday.

The three-year-old made it two wins from two starts with a powerful front-running harness racing performance in Methven’s take on the world-renowned Little Brown Jug.

BLUTO REPLAY

Anderson and long-time owner Brian Sceats bought Bluto at the national yearling sales and placed him with the Brent and Tim White stable.

Trading horses between their barns is a recipe that has worked extremely well for Anderson and White.

Bluto showed his class when beating a talented maiden field in his debut at Winton when trailing the leader throughout.

On Sunday, driver Sarah O’Reilly took the chance to lead with the three-year-old and he staved off his challengers in an impressive display.

“His first up run was a pretty nice run down south, he beat a couple of nice types,” Brent White said.

“I have always liked him, he has only had a couple of trials and one race and another race today.”

“We do think he has got a future.”

“He is very well bred – he is a half-brother to Lifes A Beach.”

Bluto had been the subject of overseas interest following his maiden win.

Buyers are sure to want to get their hands on him after he has gone two-from-two.

“There has been a lot of interest in him and Graeme has stuck firm at the moment.”

“Someone might come along with a nice offer and they’ll consider it.”

“That is their decision, but at the moment we will just look after the horse and enjoy the ride.”

The Three Wise Men drivers series, which saw Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry and Ricky May go head-to-head, proved to be a hugely popular innovation by the Methven club.

It was Maurice McKendry who took top honours in the first running of the competition for the three members of New Zealand’s 3000 driving wins club.

McKendry scored maximum points when driving Jimmyray to victory in race 9 for trainer John Morrison.

The reinsman also went close when the Laurence Hanrahan trained Janarty came up just half a neck short in race 4.

Ricky May also took out a heat of the Three Wise Men series when winning race 5 with the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained Unico Vacanza.

Tony Herlihy secured placings in the competition with both On Report and Boyz Invasion.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand