Amistozo racks up second win at Addington

By Michael Guerin

Trainer John Morrison isn’t taking the credit for what looks like a patient approach with talented trotting mare Amistozo.

But while that have been more bad luck that good planning Morrison has a mare who could be one of the more progressive trotters of the Canterbury winter.

Amistozo made it two wins from just three starts when she won her first race for six months at Addington on Friday night beating another promising type in Dornish Hill.

The pair trotted their last 800m in 58.7 seconds to put a gap on their more experienced rivals.

“She is quite tough and has a bit of speed too for a trotter down in the grades,” says Morrison. 

“She has taken a bit of getting going but she could be in for a good winter.

“She can have seasonal issues so the cooler months should suit her.”

Amistozo actually started her career last December with a win an Oamaru and a second at Methven just eight days later but it wasn’t Morrison’s intention to give her such a long break between campaigns.

“She actually only had three weeks off,” says the 28-year-old.

“But she had a little issue, nothing serious, when she was coming back up and when she was ready to race again she got a cut on a leg on race morning.” 

Amiztoso was bred and raced by Steve and Natalie Roulston, who raced a very good horse between 2003 and 2008 in Bobs Blue Boy.

Bobs Blue Boy finished fourth in Mainland Banner’s 2005 New Zealand Trotting Cup and clashed with the likes of Just An Excuse and Flashing Red so he picked a tough time to be a tough pacer but was brave and campaigned with success in Australia.

Amiztoso could be the flag flyer of a good winter for Morrison, who has 25 horses in work at Ashburton Raceway.

“I had nine at the trials the other day and about five or seven more ready to join them and a lot of new blood coming through.

“So we are in a good place numbers wise.”

Others to catch the eye at Addington included Tee Ball, who paced a 55.9 second last 800m to leave maidens for trainers Anne-Marie and Jack Best while the enigma that is Look To Da Stars was on his best behaviour to win his trot.

And Joyride and Mostert gave Team Dalgety a training and driving double.