by Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Andre Poutama is looking forward to heading back home to the Central Districts this week to enjoy time with family and take in the region’s two grass track meetings.
The Pukekohe-based horseman will trek south with former Central Districts pacer Smokinhotcheddar, whose first assignment of the trip will be the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Handicap Pace (2000m) at Tauherenikau on Monday.
The daughter of Betterthancheddar recently joined Poutama’s barn and made a winning start for her new conditioner when victorious over 2200m at Cambridge Raceway on Christmas Eve.
Poutama said the result was a pleasant surprise, and he believes they have got on top of some foot issues that had been plaguing the mare.
“She hadn’t had a run for about 46 days from her last start, so for her to win was quite a surprise for both Phil Fleming (owner) and myself,” he said.
“She has had a lot of foot issues down in the Central Districts and ran out of things to try, so we tried a few things that I have learnt in the past and it seems to be helping,” Poutama said.
“She had a workout win before she went to the races last week and I think being at Pukekohe on the soft sand is helping her feet.”
Monday’s assignment will be Smokinhotcheddar’s first from a stand, however, Poutama is confident she will go away well considering her good manners.
“It is her first standing start, but she has got good manners. She is pretty easy going and she will improve a lot off that run from the other day,” he said.
Poutama will have four other drives on the six-race card, including Cristiano Buccini in the Osborne Group Chartered Accountants Mobile Pace (2000m), Manhattan Sunshine in the Pat Kelly Memorial Mobile Pace (2000m), Clymenus in the Hilton Delegat Painting & Decorating Mobile Pace (2000m), and Uncle Drew in the Pete’s Joinery & Building Mobile Pace (2000m).
“I don’t know a lot about Cristiano Buccini, but Murray Gibbs (trainer) said he worked well the other day at Otaki on the grass,” Poutama said.
“The maiden field is not overly strong, so you would like to think he will get something there.
“Manhattan Sunshine is a bit touch and go. Going back to the grass, hopefully she will enjoy that. She won last year at Hawera, so I think she likes the grass a bit better.
“Clymenus’ bloods were no good last start. He underperformed so Doug (Gale, trainer) got a blood done. He has been treated and Doug said he should be 100 percent by the time Monday rolls around.
“Uncle Drew enjoys the grass. He won the Stratford Cup for Wendy, so going back to the grass he is always a top four chance.
“Most of my drives enjoy the grass, so that is a bonus.”
Poutama is looking forward to driving at the summer meeting before enjoying time with family on his way to Otaki’s meeting on Wednesday.
“It is a great family day out. There are a lot of people there, which is good, and it is nice to have both codes,” he said.
“The horses will stay at Murray Gibbs’ on Tuesday and I am going to stay at Mum and Dad’s as the two kids are down there for the school holidays, so I will go and spend time with them at the beach on Tuesday.”