By Jonny Turner
Oliver Kite will have to take the good with the bad when combining with a quality book of drives at Winton on Thursday.
Kite won’t be lacking horsepower when he links up with six chances, headed by the highly talented Tact McLeod.
But being handed a series of tough barrier draws means nothing is likely to come easy for the junior driver.
Kite will have to negotiate a path from barrier 1 on the second row for Tact McLeod, who returns to racing in race 10 after an explosive first campaign earlier this year.
After impressing in his recent trials, there seems little doubt the horse will be a big winning threat if he can get into clear air.
“I am definitely excited to be driving him; I have driven him a few times at the trials, and he feels like a really nice horse,” Kite said.
“He has got an awkward draw, but hopefully, he can get off at some stage and get a run.”
“He won his maiden in 2.54 (for 2400m), so he is a pretty classy horse and he should be a good chance if he gets a bit of luck.”
Kite also links up with Rakamurph in race 9 on Thursday.
The Nathan Williamson-trained pacer looks a solid each-way threat in a handy field of three-year-olds.
“He has trained on well since his first-up run; he has taken a lot of improvement from it.
“He is a nice horse and he has tactical speed, so he should be an each-way chance.”
Kite combines with his regular drive Durrant in race 5, who has also drawn barrier 1 on the second row.
“With any sort of luck, he should be hitting the line strongly.”
“He will definitely need the luck to come his way, but if it does, he’s a good each-way chance.”
Bill Bootit looks another handy hope for Kite on Thursday.
“He is a pretty honest trotter; he’s been going handy without getting a lot of luck.”
“There are a couple of smart ones in there, but he looks a handy place chance.”
Kite’s book is rounded out by Kensi and Tact Ronin.
Kensi took on smart types in her last start at Addington, while Tact Ronin returns from a spell after trialling well.
