Reid team thriving after shift south

By Mike Love  

Nothing But You will notice a sharp rise in class at Addington Raceway this Friday night after giving trainer Steven Reid his 1100th winner at Motukarara on Sunday.

“It’s good to get it but I wasn’t even aware of it! My partner Bella said to me when she won that it was my 1,100th winner!” laughed Reid. 

In her second start the Captaintreacherous two-year-old was successful in the Happy Birthday Kirsten Bridge Mobile Pace. She was the shortest priced favourite of the day and was driven accordingly by leading reinsman Blair Orange. Orange headed straight to the top where he was able to dictate the speed. From there it was just a procession, winning untouched by one and a quarter lengths.  

Now she goes from a maiden on the grass to the $100,000 Group 1 Renwick Farms - Ace Of Diamonds for two-year-old fillies at Addington against the likes of Captains Mistress, Stella Rouge and Arafura. And she's drawn the outside of the front line over 1980 metres. 

“She got a terrible draw on Friday night. With a bit of luck she could run top five or six and I’d be pretty happy with that.”

“She’ll probably go to the paddock after Friday and get ready for the Harness Million at Auckland in March.”

Nothing But You was purchased for $80,000 from the 2023 NZB Standardbred Auckland sale.

“She’s always shown ability but is very immature. In her earlier trials she showed speed and was well gaited but didn’t have the strength."

In addition to Nothing But You lining up on Aces and Oaks night this Friday at Addington, Coastal Babe will take her place in the $225,000 Group 1 Tennant Engineering New Zealand Pacing Oaks. 

“She’s been working great. She has benefited a lot from her last start given it was her first start in five weeks with no trials. But whether she’s up to the class of Duchess Megxit and Treacherous Baby yet is something we will find out on Friday.”

Bazooka will take his place in Race 3, the Hagley Windows And Doors Mobile Pace in an undercard race in which Reid is confident can show his true ability. 

“He’s just got to sort the manners out early. He is a bit of an immature horse. He doesn’t lose the plot but he just wants to get on with it. His work's been super, and since we’ve got here in Christchurch he’s really come on.” 

Reid also lines up progressive types Shake A Leg and Next Level in Race 4, the Ian Dobson Memorial 3YO Classic.

Reid has trained 1,100 winners (including 11 Group ones) solely and in combination with the likes of Les Purdon, Tremain Thorby, Graeme Rogerson, and Simon McMullan, winning over $13 million in stakes to date.

Reid and his stock recently relocated to the Canterbury area from Auckland and now trains a team of 12 from his Rangiora base.

“It’s going really good in Christchurch. I have a brand new stabling area. The facility itself is excellent. I can’t fault it. Everything is top line. All of the horses have settled in well. I can't believe how well they’re doing.”