By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
What a Friday night Melissa Whyte is going to have.
In the space of just over half an hour two trotters that she bred will race in two $100,000 Group 1s at Addington.
Chester Gold (One Over Da Moon – Natives Lasting Love) will line up in Race 1, the IRT – Ace of Clubs 2YO Colts and Geldings Mobile Trot (5.02pm) while Natives Cullerdamoon (One Over Da Moon – Cullermein) is in Race 2, the Ace of Hearts 2YO Fillies (5.38pm).
The Christchurch-based Whyte has a long-held fascination for coloured horses. Many of her horses have carried the “Native” name and the fact that she bred and owns Natives Cullerdamoon, who is a pinto (bay with white patches), makes it all the more special.
“He’s the first race horse I’ve had, usually I lease them out,” says Whyte, “Natives Cullerdamoon is the first horse I’ve actually raced in my name.”
Trained by Kyle Cameron, “Pippi” as she’s known has had four race day starts with one placing. She’s currently the $71 outsider in the five horse field in a market dominated by Meant To Be ($1.50).
“I never thought she’d make a two-year-old and she’s a really nice horse,” says Whyte.
Pippi’s mum Cullermein was a three-win skewbald by Christian Cullen out of Splashed.
“I was lucky enough to buy her through Gavelhouse as a 17-year-old broodmare.”
Chester Gold, in contrast, is a chestnut gelding.
Whyte bred his mum Natives Lasting Love and leased her to North Canterbury trainer Austin Thornton. She went on to have seven wins from 99 starts.
Chester Gold’s best showing in three career starts so far is a fourth at Rangiora a week ago, one place behind Natives Cullerdamoon.
“I sold him as a weanling to Kyle (Cameron).”
Cameron co-owns, trains and will drive Chester Gold, a $101 longshot. Habibti Pat is the favourite at $1.75.
Win or lose, for Whyte, a long-time breeding enthusiast, it promises to be quite the start to one of Addington’s biggest nights of the year.
“It’s a bit exciting.”
