Favourite proves his worth

Race favourite Kotare Yaakov, driven by Gavin Smith and trained by Phil Burrows, of North Canterbury, took out the feature race on yesterday's 11 race card at the Oamaru Trotting Club meeting held at the Oamaru Raceway.

The 5-year-old bay left the birdcage as favourite in the nine-horse field.

He was well-driven by Smith to take the main honours by an easy margin of two-and-three-quarters of a length over his nearest rival, Vic N Art, with Roxy Bromac finishing in third slot.

Trainer Phil Burrows said he had no immediate plans for the next start for the horse and would wait to see how he had come through yesterday's trip of 2600m.

"I am very pleased with his race," he said.

"He has had a few issues with soreness so this win is a bonus."

Earlier in the day, open handicap horse The Fiery Ginga, smashed his own track record to take out a win in the Morrisons Saddlery Handicap. He ran the 2600m journey in 3min 19.1sec, bettering his previous record of 3min 19.4sec, which was set on the course last year.

Part-owner Fiona Clark, of Mosgiel, said the horse had contracted a virus in Auckland and had then raced at Cromwell on a grass track where he broke.

"This win is just great," she said. "He will now be set for a campaign in Sydney and Melbourne in March."

The Fiery Ginga was driven by part-owner Alan Clark, of Mosgiel.

Oamaru Trotting Club secretary John Mudie said the day was "excellent".

"We had fine weather, good horses racing and all the main drivers are here," he said.

"The next meeting for the club will be on January 20, which should have a full race card of at least 11 races and possibly 12."