By Jonny Turner
An impressive performance in the Wairio Cup has Keep On Dreaming primed for the Gore Cup on Monday.
The Alister Black trained three-year-old did plenty of work in the running of last weekend’s feature before fighting on impressively to run fourth.
Driver Brad Williamson was thrilled with the horse’s effort in what was his first attempt in a cup race.
“He is a nice little horse, obviously it was a big jump up in grade at Wairio but he went a really nice race,” Williamson said.
“And I expect he will go another nice race again at Gore.”
“I don’t think the grass will worry him, if he gets away from the stand again and gets a nice run he is in with a chance.”
Keep On Dreaming will have to turn the tables on Wairio Cup winner Plutonium Lady on Monday.
A 10m advantage in handicaps compared with their last clash could prove a vital factor in him potentially doing so.
Keep On Dreaming starts from the front line in Monday’s 2750m feature while the Mark Jones trained Plutonium Lady starts from the 10m mark.
What the mare has in her favour though is an outstanding record on grass.
In just four starts Plutonium Lady is a two-time winner on grass and she has also placed once.
“I’d have to say she’s my best chance at Gore, she’s racing well and she likes grass,” Mark Jones said.
Keep On Dreaming is among the Gore Cup runners making their grass track debuts.
Plutonium Lady and Keep On Dreaming are among a host of winning chances in the Gore Cup.
Wairio Cup third-placegetter Johnny Mac (30m), Memphis Tennessee (10m) and Get Up N Dance (front) also have serious winning claims.
Tweedledee returns to Gore on Monday to defend his 2020 Gore Trotters Cup title.
The Lyndon Bond trained trotter has galloped in his last two starts but there is confidence in his camp that he can turn that around.
“We have found a bit of a problem, he has been hitting a bit high on the hock,” Bond said.
“I worked him [on Thursday] and it was super work.”
Andy Hall looks the hardest horse for Tweedledee to beat in Monday’s 2750m feature.
The Nathan Williamson trained trotter chased tearaway leader One Two Menny in last weekend’s feature trot at Wairio and made up a big slice of ground to run third.
Front-marker King Cassidy was second in the same race.
Both Tweedledee and Andy Hall start from the 20m mark.
Monday’s two and three-year-old events sees Duke Of Cornwall start for the first time since his incredible 1.52 mile win at Wyndham earlier this month.
The Lauren Pearson trained pacer has drawn barrier 4, giving him a crucial early advantage over his main rivals Yorokobi (5), Artatac (6) and Tommy Waterhouse (8).
