Exciting unbeaten three-year-old Friend is due back at the workouts next week, but will have a rather significant ‘gear change’.

“He was just getting too colty, so we gelded him,” said his North Canterbury trainer Phil Burrows.

“We took him to Methven before his last win (November 25) and he was smelling a couple of in-season mares.

“Then when he started at Orari a week later he had mares either side of him and Gavin (Smith, driver) said he was trying to go after them at the start.

“It meant his mind wasn’t on the job and he galloped away, and you can’t afford to be doing that when you get up in grade.

“He also capped a hock because he was skylarking around in his paddock so we made the call to geld him.”

Friend has undergone a restructuring of ownership since his last start with Burrows’ family being bought out of their quarter share after intense overseas buyer interest.

Burrows expects to take Friend to the Rangiora workouts on Wednesday as he prepares for a tilt at the Harness5000 race at Addington on February 16.

The $40,000 event is for paid-up Sires Stakes Series horses by sires who stood for $5000 or less, meaning anything by Bettor’s Delight, Mach Three and Art Major are ineligible.

Friend, by Changeover, will be a leading hope in the race.

“We’re a bit lucky though as there are a few nice horses by cheaper sires this season including Chase Auckland and Dizzy Miss Lizzy.

“But they are both ineligible after winning Group 1s,” said Burrows.”