Pizza Man impressive

Press, 4 August 1987, Page 48

Pizza Man impressive

By

JEFF SCOTT

Paul Kerr, aged 28, a younger brother of West Melton professional trainer, Brian Kerr, gained his first driving success behind Pizza Man, an impressive winner of the K. G. Andrews Pace at the Timaru Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Washdyke yesterday. Kerr, who like his brother was bom and bred in Dunedin, prepares a small team at Forbury Park and trained the trotters, Manana Lodge (two) and Armbro Martial (one) to win over the last two seasons. He also developed Smokey Leigh, a half-sister to Pizza Man, which has paced 1:59 in Australia.

“Brian’s helped me a lot and made Pizza Man,” said Paul, who was granted his professional drivers’ licence at the end of last season, having a

few drives behind the talented Dunedin pacer, Gipsy Colonel. Also a half-brother to Dorothy Bret (1;56.6) Pizza Man was a smart qualifier for Brian Kenlast season and won second-up at the Oamaru meeting at Labour Day week-end. However, his form fell , away in a further seven starts when he was plagued by viruses, according to his trainer. “We’ve blocked his ears too and he feels real good — he’s not panicking and going away real good,” enthused Kerr, who races the Roydon Albatross entire with Messrs Steve Shearer and Allan Burns. The favourite yesterday on the strength of a trials win and a workout win, Pizza Man was in front after 800 m and Kenopened up a six lengths break on the field rounding the home turn. Although his lead was

diminished to a length and a half at the post, Pizza Man dropped the bit according to Kerr and was getting going again when he heard the others coming. Pizza Man paced the ,2600 m .from a stand in 3:23.8 with his closing 800 m in 59.45. The use of the St KildaSt Clair beach in Dunedin plays a significant part in Pizza Man’s preparation. “It is 3200 m long and now that the tracks are getting harder, we’ll be doing a bit more with him on the beach,” said Kerr. "He thrives on it” Kerr now has his sights set on S CO-C 3 four-year-old race at Addington in 13 days time with Pizza Man and if he comes through that race satisfactorily, he could be a starter in the D.B. Superstar Series for his age group at the New Brighton meeting next month.