Perkins takes team to the Met

Ashburton trainer Nigel Perkins has two horses in work so it’d be fair to say he’s taking his harness racing ‘team’ to Addington on Sunday (Jul. 8). 

Perkins works the horses in his spare time and has a full time role as the Ashburton sales rep for Newlands Auto Electrical which also has branches in Timaru and Rolleston. 

When it comes to harness racing the Mid Canterbury horseman has a strong CV, having worked for Patrick O’Reilly for five years, John Lischner when he won the National Trainers Premiership and for Dick Prendergast in the early days. 

“There wasn’t much money in it so I got a real job (laughter),” Perkins said. 

He says he’s doesn’t generally do a lot of racehorses. 

“I do a few breakers, wean foals and pre-training. I had a few friends that wanted a racehorse so I put a couple of syndicates together and hopefully we can have a bit of fun.” 

Perkins will be hoping to get off to a good start in Race One over 2600 metres with first starter Crete Petite (Creatine). She’s out of the Monarchy mare Petite Royal a daughter of seven win mare Petite Sunset (Sundon). This family traces back to quality mares Pride Of Petite (Royal Prestige) which won thirty five races and Petite Evander (Great Evander) the winner of twenty one, including the G1 New Zealand Trotting FFA. 

“I leased her from Spreydon Lodge about twelve months ago. I qualified her just before Christmas, but I’ve had a lot of issues with her tying up and soundness. Fingers crossed I’ve got her right. Her manners are good but the only trouble is she’s only seen four or five horses at the trials so it (bigger field) may spook her. She’s a pretty sensible wee thing – no star, but she tries hard.” 

John Morrison takes the drive. 

In Race Two Ultimate Counsel (He’s Watching) draws barrier two in the 2000 metre stand event and will also be reined by Morrison. Ultimate Counsel is a half-brother to Star Commander (Art Major) which won four for Nigel McGrath before being exported to America. 

“He’s a very laid back sort of horse who needs to wake up. Johnny actually gave him to me after he qualified him for Malcolm Shinn. At his last start he got three back on the fence and before they’d done a lap, he was out the back last and got held up behind the tired runners. I was quite happy with the way he went.”  

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink