ANNA Bay trainer Les Kosklin was last night searching for a driver to steer High Cruising in the opening race at the Newcastle International Paceway tomorrow night.
But he must have been asking himself why.
The gelding was involved in a training mishap about four weeks ago. Kosklin was working the four-year-old on Birubi Beach as he normally does.
Everything was going along swimmingly until Kosklin was dislodged from the sulky and High Cruising took off driverless.
The gelding headed off up the ramp, past the surf club, through the parked cars and out onto busy Nelson Bay Road heading for home, which was three kilometres away. He managed to negotiate the traffic, including the speed humps and the Anna Bay roundabout, along the way.
Kosklin took off in pursuit, fearing the worst, but when he arrived back at the stables he found High Cruising waiting for him with a bloody nose and some rope burn as the only legacy from the ordeal.
"All the way back I was expecting the worst, but he was at home waiting for me, and he had even picked out the right property," Kosklin said.
"The only reason he hurt his nose was because he slammed into the gate, which was locked when he arrived back home.
"He showed tremendous road sense, not only to head back home in the right direction but to get there safely. He even went past three houses in the street before turning into his own property.
"All he needs to master now is how to open a gate."
High Cruising has not started since August but did win a trial at Newcastle last Wednesday week.
"He should certainly be fit enough," Kosklin said.
He took over training High Cruising just under 12 months ago.
From 10 starts for the Anna Bay mentor, High Cruising has scored five wins, including four in succession at Newcastle in June and July last year.
Kosklin had hoped to engage leading Toukley reinsman Michael Formosa, nut he is obligated to drive Come on Bromac, which he trains.
"I will have to look around and see who is available," Kosklin said. Under the rules of racing, High Cruising must have a driver, but Kosklin could be excused for wondering if whoever he gets to take the reins can do a better job than the horse.
"After all, he has proven that he can thread his way through traffic and find home," Kosklin said.