Gasherbrum scales another peak

Gasherbrum (Peak) aided by an inch perfect drive from in-form reinswoman Kerryn Tomlinson, proved too good in yesterday’s Apparel Master Trot at Winton.

Tomlinson took the gelding forward from the outside of the second row and had to sit parked with Don’t Look Kobe making the early pace. After looking around and seeing that no cover was coming, Tomlinson took Gasherbrum to the front with a lap to run.

At the 400 Our Evie Rae was up challenging. But at the line Gasherbrum was too strong and he held out Our Evie Rae by a length and a half with Dont Look Kobe three quarters of a length back in third.

“Kerryn is getting on really good with him. She’s played quite a big part in his development this time in. He can be quite tricky but she just keeps him focused,” said Ngaire Buchan who trains the five year old with Neil Edge.

The win was the squaregaiter’s third in twenty three starts.

Gasherbrum is named after the eleventh highest peak in the world which is located on the Pakistan – Chinese border and ironically yesterday’s win was the eleventh trotting win for the partnership.

Gasherbrum was bought off Gavelhouse as a weanling.

“He’s a big boned heavy horse that was going to take a long time to grow and we knew that. He used to get quite close to his knees, so we had to wait for him to strengthen up.”

Gasherbrum is out of A Touch Of Sun, the dam of Sarah Lindenny and King Denny who both won ten. It’s also the family of Sundon, Sungait Reb, Sunning and Arnsong.

“Neil already had Sarah Lindenny and we had Nubliah Chamay which is out of Sarah Lindenny. We already had that breed, and we liked it.”

Buchan states that Gasherbrum is not typical of the stock of Peak.

“They can be quite fiery. But he’s the opposite and quite laid back. When he goes around he’s too busy concentrating on everything else that’s going on. This time in he seems to be a lot better and the penny seems to be starting to drop. He’s not ready to go up to Addington yet, because he’s just too dumb. We’ll pick and choose his races and look after him a bit. Next season will probably be a better season for him.”

Edge and Buchan train between Hampden and Moeraki.

“We’ve got our own track and when we want to get serious before we go to the races, we go to Oamaru.”

Buchan has spent most of her adult life in harness racing.

“I started off with Craig Buchan my brother-in-law at the time. When I left there I worked for Stuey Campbell for about ten years, then I just started to train my own. Then Neil and I got together.”

Although most of their winners have been trotters Neil and Ngaire have a few pacers on the books.

“We have a yearling by For A Reason out of Nicky’s Ideal, a yearling by Always Be Miki out of Gotta Be Downtown and a King Of The North out of What A Moment, which we bought at the sales. We’ve got a Pebble Beach out of Nicky’s Ideal – she’s just a weanling and a Father Patrick out of Filigree Sheree that’s the Ford’s breed.”

Meanwhile Nubliah Chamay which won eight races for the partnership is due to foal to Tactical Approach in the next six weeks.

“We’re excited about that. She was a beautifully gaited mare so if she drops something that’s as good as her, we’ll be happy.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink