Racing: Waikato rugby coach tries his hand at horse ownership

Former All Black hooker and current Waikato rugby coach Warren Gatland could be about to feature on the racetrack.

Gatland owns a quarter share of Waicou Wasp, a 2-year-old trial winner at Cambridge this week.

The Bertolini gelding impressed when winning a 650m catchweight heat by a length for trainers Royce Dowling and Linda Laing and rider Rogan Norvall.

Asked if he had any previous experience in racing Gatland said: "Not really. We haven't got any grand hopes for this horse either. It's just a bit of fun."

However, Gatland added: "Don't write it up too much. I want to get a quid out of it when it goes to the races."

Dowling said Waicou Wasp - named from a combination of Waikato, Counties and Wasps - had shown promise and was likely to debut over the Christmas period.

"We'll get him ready for Christmas racing. He goes well and he did that nicely today," Dowling said.

One of the most impressive juvenile trialists was the Murray Baker-trained Keep Alight, a Keeper filly out of Our Tristalight, making her a half-sister to group one winning stallion Danske.

Keep Alight raced in the colours of Sir Patrick Hogan.

Other 2-year-old winners were Canny Lad filly Delovely, trained by Jeff McVean and Emma-Lea Browne, and a New Trump colt and a King Cugat colt, both trained by Chris and Colleen Wood.

Impressive maiden winners included the Toni Croon-trained Fashion Lynnie, Robert Priscott-trained Rebis, the Roger James-trained Congrats and Brian Jenkins-trained Danger Point.

Jenkins said Danehill filly Danger Point, a $340,000 Karaka yearling raced by Sir Patrick Hogan, would debut at Matamata on December 1.

- NZPA