By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Michael House has been a common sight on the winners sheet at Manawatu Raceway over the last few years, and that didn’t change at the Palmerston North track on Tuesday.
The Prebbleton trainer dominated the card once again, recording a treble, but was ruing a missed opportunity when Superstar Legend was pipped at the post by Mahia in the Doug Gale Racing Stables Mobile Pace (2000m).
While disappointed in not adding a fourth win to his tally, House was still pleased with taking out half of the six-race card.
Five-year-old trotter Abadabado made her first appearance at Manawatu Raceway a winning one when taking out the Scott Dickson Racing Stables Handicap Trot (2500m) by 2-3/4 lengths.
“No one else in the race wanted to win and she was left the last man standing,” House said.
Two races later Zircon Lass made light work of her opposition in the Andre Poutama Racing Stables (Grad Series H4) Mobile Pace (2000m) when running away to a 4-1/4 length victory.
House was full of praise for driver Blair Orange, who was able to extricate his charge from three back on the fence down the back straight to find the clear and run away with the race.
“Blair drove her beautifully,” House said. “He made a great decision down the back straight and it was lovely to watch him get the horse back off the fence and have a crack at them.”
Sir Brigadoon secured the stable treble in The Cobb Mobile Pace (2000m).
“He just relished the drop in grade and Blair drove him well and got the punters home at $1.60,” House said.
Stablemate Smoking Annie ran home well to secure the quinella for House after winning at the Palmerston North track last week.
“Smokin Annie has picked up a lot,” House said. “She is a half-sister to Boots Electric, who was a Group One winner this year. She has been a bit of a find.
“She has come out of Southland and she has been enjoying Manawatu. All of her runs have been great and she has been a bit unlucky today.”
