By Mike Love
Leeston trainer Paul Nairn will take four runners to today’s Ashburton meeting.
A hot favourite, Waterloo Station will be his headline act in Race 7, the Front Lea Partnership Handicap Trot over 2400m (4:10pm).
Driven by Bob Butt, the four-year-old Waterloo Sunset gelding will need to overcome a backmark of 20 metres, but stable representative Stacey Whatuira believes he should do just that.
“It’s an ideal race for him. He’s working well too. I think he’d be the one to beat. He likes Ashburton, with the big bends,” said Whatuira.
Waterloo Station has not raced since running second to Tarragindi at the inaugural Harness 5000 meeting at the same course back in December last year. Though there have been no trials or workouts given to Waterloo Station leading into today, Nairn is confident he is ready to fire.
“He went great at his last start, and has had a freshener since then, and he’s training really well,” says Nairn.
Nairn also lines up second favourite Luvavici in the same event who Whatuira will drive with a 10 metre headstart on his stablemate.
A minor issue has seen Luvavici not race since September 2024 but has trialled at Addington this month and was seen making good ground late for trials driver Flynn Ford.
“He’s quick. I’ve driven him a few times. But because he hasn’t raced for so long I’ll probably try and drive him for one run,” says Whatuira.
“He’s also working really well this time in – probably even better than before, though he will need a run. So hopefully he just trots well.”
Nairn will step out debutant Rowdy Yates in Race 3, the Allenton Pharmacy Trot over 2400m (1:50pm), again with Whatuira taking the reins. The now five-year-old Waterloo Sunset gelding qualified as a three-year-old back in 2024.
“He’s a funny horse because he can jump out of his gate. He was good at the trials on Friday,” says Whatuira.
“If he trots the whole way I’ll be happy. He’s had a bit of trouble with injuries so he’s had a bit of time out in the paddock.”
Nairn also lines up Something Else in Race 1, the Stephen Parkinson Orthopaedic Trot over 2400m (12:45pm) with driver Bob Butt.
“She was disappointing on Thursday at Addington. But she’s eaten up and seems well.”