Win revives memory of ill-fated rising star

YESTERDAY’S win at Club Menangle revived memories of an ill-fated stable star.

After Timothy Red broke his maiden status, co-trainer Joe Rando couldn’t help comparing the three-year-old to his former rising star Howard Ino.

One of the most promising pacers of his crop, Howard Ino died suddenly during track work when on target to contest the Chariots Of Fire.

The son of Troublemaker won 11 of his 22 starts, with five placings also to his credit.

As for Timothy Red, he notched his initial success at his eighth outing.

“I almost dare not say it, but Tim reminds me a lot of Howard Ino,” said Rando, who prepares his team with his wife Mary.

“Howard was a pacer and Tim is a trotter, but they are almost identical in mannerism and what they can do on the training track.

“Hopefully this bloke can build the kind of record Howard had and go on to better things.”

First-up since being sidelined by injury in April, Timothy Red began well from barrier three to settle behind the favourite, Muscle Hillbilly, which led from gate six.

Inconvenienced and desperate for an opening when the leader galloped at the top of the home straight, Timothy Red was angled away from the pegs by Cameron Hart before unleashing a scintillating sprint.

Bursting to the front in a matter of strides, the colt completed an eight-metre win from Sunny Gee, with Scenic Sky seven metres away third in 1:55.6 over the mile.

“He wasn’t going as well as he should during his last couple of starts so we had the vet go over him and found he was jarred in the front legs,” Rando explained.

“The vet recommended he had three months off, so that’s what he got.

“He’s come back feeling terrific and hopefully ready to fulfil his potential.

“At this stage we have nothing specific set out for him, just find the right races.”