Unbeaten pacer wins on raw ability

The word in the McIntyre harness racing training camp prior to Raupunga Lad (Raging Bull) racing today (Oct. 7) at Ascot Park was that he needed to be in the paddock.

They could tell by his demeanour that he wasn’t the horse that cleared out and won by nine and a quarter lengths at Winton.

“He needs a break and a good long one. We know he’s a good horse and we just have to look after him,” Brent McIntyre said.

Driver Craig Ferguson took the hot favourite to the front. He ran relatively soft sectionals and only had half a length to spare at the finish.

RAUPUNGA LAD REPLAY

McIntyre said the run at Addington was also below par. “He ran the whole way on a rein and that tells you something.”

So out he goes and with a three month break McIntyre expects Raupunga Lad to come back a better all round package.

“He’s got to mature to handle the racing as he goes up the grades. What he’s done has been in a hurry.”

Online viewers were perplexed when he raced four wide for a good bit of his trial at Ascot Park a week ago.

“He was fresh when he came into the trial. He got stirred up and there were a few other ingredients – the cart wasn’t right, and he touched the wheels.”

There was an obvious sense of relief from McIntyre after his race today. Now that this period of Raupunga Lad’s is done with, life can get back to normal without the addition of buyer pressure.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink