Continuing rise to the top

PROMISING trotter Toro Stride continued his rise to the top with a stellar performance at Club Menangle last Saturday night.

Taking his record to four wins and a third from his last six starts, Toro Stride scored in a personal best 1:53.5 over a mile.

Despite Toro Stride’s impressive form, trainers Mary and Jo Rando have no immediate grand plans for the gelding.

Long term, the prominent couple are considering contesting the Inter Dominion with the son of Love You.

Heats of the time-honoured Championship are scheduled to begin in Newcastle on November 29, with the Final to be conducted in Menangle on December 14.

“We couldn’t be happier with the way he is going,” Joe said. “Even his start before Saturday night was a good run to finish fourth as he is not ideal from the stand.

“There is no doubt he is a nice trotter still on the way up, but things will keep getting harder for him now.

“At the moment we don’t have any specific plans for him, just keep racing around here.

“With the Inter in our backyard later in the year, it is something we have to give serious thought to.”

Driven by Jim Douglass, Toro Stride began quickly to lead from barrier seven before being eased to take a trail behind Caligula.

Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight, Toro Stride sprinted to a four-metre win from Super Service, with Caligula battling on to be a metre-and-a-half away third.