A new chapter in Motu Meteor’s heart-warming life after racing story was written this week when the former multiple country cups winner moved to his new home.

The New Zealand-bred six-year-old has been adopted by Ballarat standardbred devotee Abby Loveday and will embark on an in-hand showing career.

Abby developed a love of the breed during a 10-year stint working with local trainer David Murphy and already cares for Mcllarkin, a home-bred from the stable who had just one race start.

She has successfully transitioned the 15-year-old son of Village Jasper into the show ring and hopes her newest recruit will follow in his footsteps.

“I love showing, that’s my thing really,” Abby said this week, adding that her personal preference is in-hand or led classes.

“Larky is broken to saddle as well, but I always get someone else to ride him,” she explained. “I wasn’t really looking for another horse but when I read Meteor’s story, I felt like I could offer him the type of home he needed.”

A former smart pacer who won 14 races and $252,000 in prizemoney, Motu Meteor’s racing career ended prematurely due to injury earlier this year and euthanasia was one of the options presented to owner Merv Butterworth.

However, trainer Kerryn Manning stepped in, agreeing to undertake a lengthy rehabilitation with Butterworth’s endorsement to nurse the gelding back to paddock soundness and set him up for a life beyond the track.

“It’s perfect really because Larky shows in the taller of the two standardbred height categories while Meteor will slot into the under 15.2hh class.

“He has come to me in terrific order, so I’m hoping I may be able to register him in time to contest the Standardbred Pleasure and Performance Horse Association of Victoria State Championships.

“He’ll most definitely be targeted at the HERO Standardbred Ring at the prestigious Barastoc Horse of the Year Show in February.

“Meteor has settled in as if he’s always been here. When I let him go in the paddock for the first time he just walked off.

“There was no excitement, he wandered down to say hello to my yearling colt – let’s hope he can teach him a thing or two about being a good racehorse.”

Kerryn said she could not have hoped for a better outcome for a much loved member of her racing team.

“We were inundated with offers after Meteor’s story was published, but I know Abby will treat him like one of her own horses and give him the wonderful retirement he deserves.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY THAT HELPED METEOR FIND A FOREVER HOME

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