Hutton lauds Manawatu circuit

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Bruce Hutton believes there is a place for tracks like Manawatu Raceway in the racing calendar and he is trying to prove it.

The Canterbury trainer went to the Palmerston North track on Tuesday with three runners and went home with a win and a runner-up result.

Invisible Girl had been struggling to find form in Canterbury but was sent out a $1.30 favourite in the Haval @ Cartown Mobile Pace (2000m) and duly rewarded punters, running away to a dominant three length victory.

Hutton was just as pleased with stablemate Luminosity’s runner-up effort in the Get Vaccinated Handicap Trot (2500m) after sitting parked.

“It’s a different type of racing and it gives a different horse a chance to win,” Hutton said.

“I know there are people out there saying we should be racing at Addington three days a week, but it will end up stereotype racing and the same horses will always end up winning.

“You come up here and a horse that trots off the mark and does everything right gets money, and they don’t have the speed or ability at Addington.”

Hutton was looking for a bold showing from Invisible Girl in weaker company on Tuesday and was satisfied his decision to bring her north paid off.

“If she couldn’t win that we were in deep trouble,” he said.

“She hadn’t gone bad races at home but it just shows the necessity of places like Manawatu.

“Horses can get to the front and have a new lease on life.

“We have been having no luck at home, she keeps drawing bad in the poor races or good in the better races and gets back three back the fence and runs on for seventh of eighth and gets no money.

“Whereas she comes here and she has managed to dominate.”

The broodmare paddock is beckoning both mares and Hutton said his Manawatu trip is a good opportunity to extend their records.

“I have come to Manawatu a lot over the years. I haven’t been here for a while just because I didn’t have the right horses, but this is a great spot for the right horses,” he said.

“These two mares are on their swansong and if we can bank some more money and put more wins on the card for them that’s great.

“Luminosity has been served by Majestic Son and Invisible Girl is going to Downbytheseaside.”