Two bargain buys set for Kaikoura showdown

Two horses bought by North Canterbury owner-trainer John Aarts on the same day will line up in the same race on day one of the Kaikoura meeting on Sunday.

Deltoro (Crystal Hackett) and Roussos (Robbie Close) will both start in Race 3, the Innovative Waste Kaikoura Trot (2.18pm).

Both his 4YO trotters are by What The Hill and were purchased by Aarts at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Weanling Sales – Deltoro for $4000 and Roussos for $5000. They are both raced by Aarts, his wife Mieke and the Pride of the South syndicate.

It will be Deltoro’s fourth start after his last had “black booker” written all over it. Deltoro broke in the score up and was many lengths in arrears but flew home into third at Addington on October 21.

“It’s not his manners,” says Aarts, “he just sees and hears everything.”

“He has some ability.”

So too does debutant Roussos if his wins at the Rangiora workouts/trials are anything to go by.

“The big fella (Roussos) only wants to run … he’s fast,” says Aarts, “while the little fella is more clever.”

Roussos is named after the famous kaftan-wearing Demis Roussos who was an international singing star in the 1970-80s.

“He was my mate – we met in France,” says Aarts. 

Aarts trains at Loburn in North Canterbury.

“I do some road work with them and also work with them at the beach (Woodend).”

Aarts has been training for the best part of 20 years with his best performer being Monkey’s Way who won eight races between 2015-19.

Aarts is reluctant to be too bold with his predictions for South Bay on Sunday.

“I hope they’ll be alright and get round in one piece  but they are pretty green.”

In the market Deltoro is at $6.50 with Roussos at $5.

Racing on Sunday starts at 1.08pm with Monday’s meeting, featuring the Bulldog Hanover Kaikoura Cup and the White Morph Motel South Bay Trotters Cup, getting underway at 12.15pm.

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk