by Mike Love, Harness News Desk
Gore trainer Tony Stratford will look to continue his team’s recent success with three runners at Winton on Saturday.
Goma Dale, a four-year-old Auckland Reactor gelding, steps out for his debut with a handy barrier draw of two, in the Mico Plumbing and Bathrooms Mobile Pace. The gelding won his qualifier impressively at the same track on April 28th, stopping the clock at 3:02 for the 2400m mobile, and a sizzling 56.2 final 800m.
Although he had a few heart in mouth moments over the concluding stages of his qualifying trial, Stratford says those issues come as part of the deal with Auckland Reactor progeny.
“He’s a big long striding horse, and a bit weak at the minute. He does tend to put in a roughy here and there.”
Stratford says the gelding has been a slow developer, but is confident that he will be very competitive on Saturday.
“He has a big motor, and is willing …. I’d say he’d be pretty hard to beat.”
The Stratford team, which had a double at Invercargill on April 29 with Tara Victory and Outback Man, will also line up a stable newcomer, Sweet Southern Lass, in the Plumbing World Fillies and Mares Mobile. She won a recent Wyndham workout for her new barn, and the three-year-old Sweet Lou filly has impressed Stratford in the short time they’ve had her.
“I’m really happy with her. We’ve had her about three or four weeks.
“We gave her a workout last week just to see where she’s at, and she went nice. I think she could be a wee bit above average.
“She’d be pretty hard to beat over a mile.”
Finally, last start maiden winner Tara Victory will look to go back-to-back when she goes around in the Buteline NZ Ltd Mobile. Stratford believes the 3yo Vincent filly won’t be far off them either.
“It’s a step up from the maidens to a one-win. But I think she’s a progressive type of horse.
“I’d be surprised if she wasn’t in the top three or four.”
New Zealand’s leading reinsman, Blair Orange, will take the drive on all three runners.
