Forgotten pacer The Manipulator is back in work at Macca Lodge in Southland.

The now six year old by Panspacficflight last raced at Rangiora in June last year.

From just eight lifetime starts he's won four races and $32,496.

His harness racing career began with Southland trainer Tony Stratford, who qualified him at Gore in August 2014 before winning on debut the following month at Winton.

He was then transferred to the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stables at Rolleston from which he won a further three races.

Macca Lodge's proprietor Brent McIntyre who's been jogging The Manipulator since May of this year, recalls a memorable run at Addington in May 2015 which showcased the horses ability, but ended with an unlucky ninth placing.

"He broke his knee cap in that race. He lost about 200 metres shortly after the start. Natalie said he still would have run in the money if he hadn't run into traffic in the straight. So that was the end of it. He was boxed for about three or four months. He won first up (a year later) then he started two more times before he got injured again. We've got him back jogging. Timsy (owner Neil Timms) gave me a half share in him. He threw him out on the Mataura River banks for about six months. We picked him up in May and he was looking a million dollars. I've just started hoppling him now and I'll send him down to Tank (Tank Ellis at Oreti Beach) to see whether he'll stand up. It gives him his best chance down there," McIntyre said.

Brent and Caine McIntyre of Macca Lodge                        – Photo Bruce Stewart.

McIntyre has since purchased a two year old full-sister to The Manipulator called Ivy McIvy.

The dam of both horses Luckisaladytonight has been an excellent broodmare for Neil Timms. She has left Cullen Keffe (5 New Zealand wins), The Manipulator and Ladys Are Ideal ( 1 New Zealand win) and Afterdinnerspeaker ( 2 wins from just six starts).

He has a two year old filly by Somebeachsomewhere out of the mare and she was last served by a son of Somebeachsomewhere, Captaintreacherous.

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing