The starting car at Franklin Trotting Club in New Zealand blew it’s front passenger tire just prior to the running of the second event causing the vehicle to swerve violently and slide a full 180 degrees facing the starters as the field of maiden pacers had to make an abrupt stop before heading into the first turn.
To the credit of the drivers involved in the 13-horse race, all the horses but one avoided colliding with the gate.
“It’s a day I won’t forget in a hurry. It was my first day as a starter. I was filling in for Colin Courtney and couldn’t believe what happened.
“It happened on the crossing so I think it was a mix of the tire blowing at a point which caused us to slide and end up facing the field,” said starter, Tony Butler.
The race proceeded without the starting car as the clerk of the course guided the horses through a rolling start. (Franklin Trotting Club)
