Kiwi Set For Legendary Return
13 December, 2018
Harness
Talented pacer Kiwi Legend makes a much anticipated return to racing at Gloucester Park tomorrow night, where he lines up in the Retravision Your Air Conditioning Specialist Free-For-All Pace (2130m).
The seven-year-old last started in a race in the Four and Five-Year-Old Championship in March last year, but injuries have since prevented him from getting back to the track.
The gelding trialled in August of last year, but wasn’t seen again until a Bunbury trial last month.
Now under the care of trainer Stephen Reed, Kiwi Legend has drawn barrier four for his return in tomorrow night’s $25,000 event, where he meets last start Bunbury Cup winner Rocknroll Lincoln.
Reed has an eye towards next month’s Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups for the Art Major gelding.
Reed said it had been a slow process getting Kiwi Legend back to the track, but was bullish about what was in store for this campaign.
“He injured a ligament in his front leg and had to have the year off,” he said.
“We’ve been taking it slow with him, we’ve probably had him in work for 20 weeks…he’s had the hobbles on about eight times.
“We want to ease him back into racing life.
“It’s exciting times because he’s a very good horse when he’s right.
“Hopefully he’s around for a few of the bigger races in January.”
In a further boost for Kiwi Legend, reinsman Mark Reed has elected to drive him over his father Mike’s star mare Maczaffair, picture above.
With the Pacing Cups the main aim for Kiwi Legend this campaign, Reed said the winner at 12 of his 31 starts would take plenty of benefit from the run.
“I don’t know what to expect from him,” he said.
“The main thing is to get him around the track safely.
“Hopefully it’s a solid and competitive run.”
The Free-For-All Pace precedes the Group 1 Golden Nugget and gets underway at 7.10pm.
Tim Walker