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Life is like a box of chocolates for recently crowned South Canterbury horse of the year Clifden Clowers.
Its been a case of you never know what you’re going to get for the horse dubbed the area’s version of Forrest Gump.
The veteran trotter, who just loves to run, took the top honours at the annual South Canterbury awards on a big night for trainer Sandra Mounce and her family.
Mounce took home four awards, bagging the trainer of the year, owner of the year and broodmare of the year with Clifden Clowers’ dam, Gina, as well as the overall award.
“It was a great thrill, especially for the trotter,” Mounce said.
The past month has not been all peas and carrots for the 11yr-old squaregaiter.
Clifden Clowers, who people call Clifden Clowers, faces a three month stint on the sidelines after sustaining a lower leg injury in his last start at Forbury Park, late last month.
“I got him x-rayed and there is no fracture of the pedal bone – there is only a slight hairline [crack] in the nevicular and it is so minute.” Mounce said.
Like his namesake in the 1994 movie, the horse dubbed Forrest Gump has been fitted with a special shoe to help correct his injury.
“He is in the bar shoe and running around like nothing has happened.” Mounce said.
Mounce said a decision on the horse’s racing future would be make after Clifden Clowers’ enforced layoff is over.
“The vet said to give him three months off and we will do that, then we could retire him, we just don’t know.”
One thing is for certain, the spritely 11yr-old is not happy about being forced of the training and racing tracks.
“He is always waiting at the gate every morning and he is pee’d off.” Mounce said.
“I have never known a horse that lines up as if to say ‘come on get the gear on, we are off’.”
“He just runs – its just crazy.”
Clifden Clowers is the first foal from the broodmare award winner, Gina.
She has also left the well-travelled former racehorse, Cocktail Waiter.
Trainer Michael Ward gave her third foal, Time In A Bottle, two starts earlier this year.
Mounce said the only other live foal from the Sundon mare, a 2yr-old by Superfast Stuart, had pleased in her early preparations.
Gina is due to foal to Creatine in the spring.
Anna Barclay was crowned the best South Canterbury owned horse at the awards thanks to her five wins, last term, for trainer Michael House.
Brendon Hill won the award for leading trainer at Phar Lap raceway and Wayne Low won the South Canterbury Driver Of The Year award.
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