Run Blaze Run gets overdue win at Manawatu

By Jordyn Bublitz 

After a run of near-misses, Hawera trainer Willie Fleming was rewarded at Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday, with Run Blaze Run finally breaking through for a well-earned maiden win.

The five-year-old son of Betterthancheddar had been a model of consistency without winning, finishing runner-up nine times from 15 starts, earning himself the tongue-in-cheek nickname “eftpos” around the Manawatu circuit.

That all changed on Tuesday in the Racing Again 7th April Mobile Pace, where driver Jay Abernethy made full use of their barrier one draw. The pair burned early to find the front, dictated terms throughout, and never looked in danger, kicking clear to score by two lengths.

“It was sort of a relief I guess,” Fleming said. “I’m pleased for him, he deserved the win.”

While the maiden win had been a long time coming, Fleming said patience had always been part of the process with the quirky gelding.

“I always thought he’d have a win or two in him. It’s probably worked out well that it’s taken this long because he can be a funny wee horse, a bit suspicious of things. He’s had time to grow into a real racehorse now.”

Despite the string of second placings, there was never a sense of frustration from the stable.

“I’ve always just taken it as it comes and carried on. Second placings aren’t a bad little earner,” he said. “Some of the cheeky buggers down here were calling him eftpos.”

Confidence was high heading into Tuesday’s race, particularly given the favourable draw.

“Because he’d drawn so well, with the way he’d been running, I would’ve been a little disappointed if he didn’t win.”

That confidence was strengthened by his effort on day one of the meeting, where he showed grit after doing work early.

“He had come through the first day pretty well and was out in the paddock doing pirouettes, I half thought he’d pull a shoe,” Fleming said. “We put blinds on him and got rid of the plugs to try and get him on the job, he had a good duel for the lead and Jay had no option but to press on because he was so keen. I thought he had every excuse to stop, but he was still there fighting it out at the end, so I was quite pleased.”

With the maiden box now ticked, Run Blaze Run will be given a short freshen-up before his next assignment.

“He’ll have a week off now because I’m heading over to Aussie, so he’ll miss the next Manawatu meeting, but I should have him back up and running for the final meeting at the end of April.”