Randel Huston P outplays competition

It was fitting that Randel Huston P (Peak) won at Gore today.

The gelding is named after American Country Music singer Randel Huston Parton, the younger brother of the late Dolly Parton and his win today happened in the Country Music Capital of New Zealand.

In the Baynes Family Handicap Trot driver Blair Orange got the seven year old away brilliantly and soon had the front. He dictated all the terms and at the line had ten and three quarter lengths on second placed Emily, with Mor Moonlight nine and a quarter lengths back in third.

RANDEL HOUSTON P REPLAY

“I haven’t spoken to Blair, he looked a bit vulnerable the last bit, but he got round. Two seven (2700 metres) is not his go. I thought he’d be pretty hard (to beat), but I thought Kirstin’s one (Mor Moonlight) would be pretty hard. Young Jack Joyce does all the work with him at home. He’s been with us a long time and will get his junior licence at the start of the new season,” said Brent White, who trains Randel Hustle P in partnership with his son Tim.

The win was the gelding’s tenth.

He’s owned by Robin Wales of Opawa Racing Limited.

“He’s had all the Opawa greyhounds. I got to know him when I was in Christchurch just dabbling with one or two (horses). He’s a champion bloke who loves his trotters and enjoys a bet.”

The gelding was sold by Maria Perriton for $10,000 at the 2020 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales and is out of the Sundon mare Rocket. He comes from one of the best trotting families developed by the Grice brothers.

“I bought him as he walked into the parade ring. I didn’t look at the catalogue. He was a cheapy and I bought him straight on type.

“We’ve had a few headaches, but he’s done a good old job Big Red. His gait’s not the best at times. We’ve taken the half-hopples off again. He doesn’t wear half-hopples at home and anyone could drive him. We only put them on on race day to help his gait but he begins better without them on.” 

Randel Huston P’s third dam is Janetta’s Pride the dam of Ima Gold Digger, Dependable and Jo Anne.

“He’ll race again on Thursday and then come home. I’m even considering retiring him soon because he’s getting high in the grades and it’s getting hard for him. We’ll just see.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink