Negus delivers a race to race double at Addington

Burnham harness racing trainer Bruce Negus wasn’t as surprised as many punters were when he scored an unlikely double at Addington yesterday.

Driven by Sheree Tomlinson, Negus’ runners took out the first two races on the card, both at double figure odds. Waterholes Road won the Come Race With Us ‘3 Codes Syndication’ Mobile Pace, paying $23.60 and then Mouton Cadet took out the Thanks to Vets, Farrier and Staff at Overport Lodge Mobile Pace, paying $26.30.

“They both show enough at home to suggest that they shouldn’t have been as long in the market as they were,” says Negus.

In the opening race of the day Tomlinson executed patience before angling wider on the track to sweep past and win by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’s always shown a bit but has been a little bit average on race day. Even in this race when he joined in it was touch and go as to whether he would stretch out. Half way up the straight he must have decided he would.”

Negus bred the three-year-old gelding Waterholes Road, by Sky Major out of Rob Roy Mattgregor mare Em Ay, who he also trained. She won four from 42.

“His mother was a good mare. She was quite speedy.”

Negus and Tomlinson then stepped out in Race 2 with Mouton Cadet who was having just his second start from the Negus barn.

Tomlinson eased Mouton Cadet back toward the rear end of the field where they stayed until the final quarter on an even tempo. Race favourite Moet Shard skipped away at the 400m, with a margin between Mouton Cadet and Moet Shard approximately 15 lengths at this point. With a long sustained sprint Tomlinson and Mouton Cadet breezed on by Moet Shard to win by two lengths.

“He had to show a bit to swoop like he did. I’m very proud of him.“

“We bought him off Gavelhouse about three weeks ago for $700. He’s a little bit of a handful, but I think he enjoys being in a big team. We work four or five in a workout and he’s like a big baby still growing up. I think working in company has really helped him.”

“I think he’ll win more races.”

MOUTON CADET REPLAY

Negus trains “about ten” racehorses but has about thirty on and off work.

“The other ones I own most of them, so they only work on the nice days!”

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand