LIVELY EASTBURN 2YO QUALIFIER
Lively Eastburn, who qualified finishing second in a respectable 2:32.6 for the mobile 2000m at Rangiora on Wednesday, July 6, may have only one two-year-old start then be given time to develop.
“This was only his second time off the place,” said trainer Mark Jones.
After trailing Woodlea Legend (2g Grinfromeartoear-Secacus), Lively Eastburn challenged early in the run home and wasn’t extended, being beaten by a length and a half in a 2:02.5 mile rate for the 2000m.
The leaders quickened over their last 800m in 58.5s and final 400m in 28s.
“He went up to win it but blew out the last bit,” said Mark.
“We might give him another trial next week. If he goes alright then we might look for a race then turn him out.”
“He’ll be better with a break. He’s good mannered and be a good maiden for Nelson as he’s owned up there by ‘Skeet’ Barnett.”
Mr Barnett, a successful East Takaka breeder, now 82, bred the Live Or Die gelding from Eastburn Gee (Badlands Hanover-Biddy B B), the winner of six from 35 starts for $41,522.
Lively Eastburn is the first foal from Eastburn Gee, who won her maiden for Dave Anderson, then another five when prepared by Murray Pash.
His grand-dam Biddy B B (Nero’s B B-Eastburn Lass), who has chestnut colouring like Lively Eastburn, won six of only 21 starts for former top trainer John Lischner, and left other good winners in Handoverbid (six NZ wins), Straven (five NZ wins, 1:54.4, US) and Be Artful (three NZ wins, 1:56.5, Aust).
Biddy B B’s dam Eastburn Lass was a half-sister by Noodlum to Mr Barnett’s former top trotter Eastburn Grant (13 wins & $212,995), the 1997 Rowe Cup winner when prepared by John Lischner.