Unique looking pacer heading back to trials

One of the country’s most striking-looking standardbreds will head back to the harness racing trials next Wednesday and already she is polarizing opinion.

Eyre Brushed Lucy is a three-year-old filly who was born at Wai Eyre Farm in North Canterbury in December 2021.

Though she is by a bay stallion Sky Major out of a black mare Myex she has a unique look, with a genetic novel mutation resulting in her bay/chestnut colouring changing to her splashed white colour pattern.

Already she’s attracted a lot of coverage and attention though her North Canterbury-based trainer Ross Houghton says opinions are mixed.

“People either love her or hate her – they say ‘wow she’s a beautiful looking horse and others will say what an ugly looking thing that is.'”

“I quite like her,” says Houghton, “she is unique.”

“The ladies usually love a bit of grey or colour,” says Wai Eyre Farm principal Darryl Brown, “but I don’t think she’d be every guy’s cup of tea.”

But Brown and his team at Wai Eyre Farm believe her distinctive looks do offer a number of good marketing opportunities and that she could potentially be a horse that cultivates a cult following.

“She is striking alright,” says Brown, “the question is : can she run fast?”

Her first public appearance was at the Rangiora workouts last Wednesday when she finished fifth in an eight horse field. She broke early and then got into the one-one before losing her way around the home turn.

“For the first time out she did really good,” says Brown, “but when the earplugs were pulled she tried to run off the track!”

And Houghton’s assessment?

“She was very green but she has come on a bit since that trial. She’s certainly got some speed.”

She’ll head back to the same track next Wednesday for another hit-out and then have a go at qualifying. How she goes then will determine her immediate racing future.

“If she qualifies well she could then have a run (on race day) or we’ll put her aside and then get her ready for Christmas time,” says Houghton, “I will think she will make a race horse but how good – who knows?”

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk