by Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Trainer John “Coaster” Howe is eyeing a tilt at the Gr.3 NZ 2YO Trotting Stakes (1980m) next month with Maxwell Edison after his impressive maiden win at Ashburton Raceway on Monday.
The Majestic Son colt was given a beautiful trip in the one-one behind Krackaling before driver Robbie Close guided his charge three-wide into open air with 250m to go. He was able to show a good turn of foot to run over the top of his rivals to win by a length over a game Krackaling.
Howe was pleased with the win but said he was confident of a bold showing from his colt.
“I wasn’t that surprised,” Howe said.
“It was a good Goose (Robbie Close) drive. He said he got a bit keen early but that’s the way he is, it’s a bit of a Majestic Son thing I think.”
Maxwell Edison had the two prior starts for a fourth and sixth placing and Howe said he has just been learning his craft.
“I was surprised he didn’t show it (turn of foot) in his first couple of starts but he was still learning the game I suppose,” he said.
“I think the first start was a bit of trainer error and not having him quite fit enough. He went better the second start and it has built from there.”
Howe said he now has a gauge to measure his other juvenile trotters against as he heads deeper into the season.
“We have got a few other two-year-old trotters and we have learnt now how good they have got to be at this stage,” he said.
“At the moment he is number one, but we have got three or four of them that are very close to where he is.
“Five months down the track we could have a couple of nice ones floating around.”
Howe said Maxwell Edison had come through the race well and while he is contemplating backing him up later this week, his primary objective will be the Trotting Stakes at Addington Raceway next month.
“He has come through the race so well so we might nominate him for Friday night, but 99 percent chance he won’t be lining up in that race,” he said.
“He will go to the trotting stakes on May 13 at this stage.”