Former Hong Kong galloper Compulsory (No Nay Never) has been a model of consistency for Tim and Margaret Carter since joining their Cambridge barn late last year, and he will be out to score a breakthrough victory in the JRA Trophy 1400 at Ellerslie on Sunday.
The six-year-old son of No Nay Never placed in just one of his 20 starts in Hong Kong for trainers Tony Millard and Michael Chang, but has thrived since arriving in New Zealand, placing in four of his five starts for the Carters.
The husband-and-wife team, who now share in the ownership of the gelding, have been pleased with his progress and are hoping the 25-start maiden can finally be rewarded for his consistency this weekend.
“I am absolutely gobsmacked why he never won races in Hong Kong,” Tim Carter said. “He was sent down by the owners to try (in New Zealand) but they decided not to persevere, they had another horse in Hong Kong, so they gave us the ownership of the horse.
“He is quite an impressive looking horse, he is a lovely type of horse. He is very consistent and maybe it’s a change of environment that has helped.
“The draw (20) might be a bit of an issue, but his best form is when he gets back in the field and comes home anyway.”
While pleased with his current run of form, Carter said they won’t be going too deep into the winter with their charge.
“He is a horse that likes good tracks, so we will just keep racing him while the tracks are good. Once we get right into winter, we will have to tip him out,” he said.
A day prior at Te Rapa, the Carters will have a sole representative in Pukana (NZ) (Tivaci).
The Tivaci gelding was initially on the ballot for the PGG Wrightson Grain 1400, but has made the field due to several scratchings.
“We have just made the field,” Carter said. “I have put (four-kilogram claiming apprentice) Hayley Hassman on. He is not a big horse, but he has got some ability the little fella.
“There is no reason why he shouldn’t run a decent sort of race.”