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Ronnie Coute owed his connections that one.

Victory in Thursday night's $70,000 PGG Wrightson NZ Yearling Sales Series 3YO Trot at Addington made up for last season, because in the 2-year-old equivalent the son of Sundon had the race won but rolled into a gallop short of the post and was relegated to second.

"He's a wee bit dumb, and that night he got to the front and just didn't know what to do," trainer/ driver Murray Edmonds recalled. "We were happy to get some of it though - better that than none at all. And we couldn't really complain, because as a 2-year-old he won over $12,000 - and hadn't even qualified!"

"Mobiles suit some horses, but not him. Once you get through that first fifty metres though he's okay, and lovely to drive. I even considered putting him on the unruly last week,but it's just too much of a disadvantage over 1950 metres."

On Ronnie Coute's agenda this season is the Derby, and he's paid up for the Sires' Stakes.

He's a hard case, and keeps you on your toes," Edmonds said. "Because he's as quiet as a lamb in his box, but the instant you bring him out and turn him round to put the cart on, he's all over the place - he won't stand still. But if they've got a bit of ability you put up with these sort of things."

Ronnie Coute is by Sundon, bred by Phillip and Martine Iggo and is owned in Motueka by Eric Inwood

Credit: John Robinson writing in HRWeekly 21Mar07