"The tractor" cracks $200K with popular Kaikoura victory

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Surely they can't be a more popular winner at Kaikoura today than Rachmaninov. 

The veteran trotter, having his 289th start, outstayed his rivals to win the Smartpanel Construction Ltd Trot.  

It was his second start in two days, his 12th career win and it pushed him over $200,000 in career earnings.

"Everyone's so stoked with him," says co-breeder, co-owner and trainer Trevor Grant.

"He really is everyone's favourite horse isn't he?

After a safe beginning Rachmaninov went up to sit parked with a lap to go before Robbie Close went to the lead at about the 600 metre mark. He held on to win by more than a length.

The win came just 24 hours after his second placing in a heat of the World Driving Championship for Frenchman Pierre Vercruysse behind the impressive Hoof It Hagrid.

"I said to Pierre, just drive him like a diesel tractor!"

Monday's victory was his second in 35 starts this year and while he is 10 years old he is clearly racing in fine fettle.

Until last year Grant had been hesitant to line up his grand old trotter at South Bay.

"I didn't start here him until he was a nine-year-old because I didn't think he'd go around the bends but he goes as good here as anywhere."

Last year he finished second in his Kaikoura debut and now he has a win and a second this year.

Grant has been inundated with well wishers since the win. It's a testament to a popular harness racing figure and a very popular horse.