While there has been plenty of racing action on show, it’s a couple of first starters at Cambridge Raceway’s meeting that catch the eye Friday night.
Pukekohe trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson have three runners engaged with Papenhuyzen, also driven by Hollis, making her debut in Race 2 at 6:11pm.
“She qualified back in June then spelled and has come back and gone two good workouts at Pukekohe” says Hollis “She’s a big filly with maturing to do but from the good draw if she goes out and gets everything right she should be an each way chance.”
Hollis and Robertson next send out Bet West with Nate Delaney driving in Race 3, the Happy New Year from Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace Junior Drivers Race over 2200m. The gelding ran a bold 3rd behind Always B Stunning here on the 21st December with a strong late finishing run.
“He is honest and if the speed is on he will go another good race” says Hollis.
The pair’s final runner is The Artful Gambler driven by Sailesh Abernethy in Race 6, the Off The Track Food And Bev Mobile Pace over 2200m.
“He went a great race last week and should be an each way chance tonight despite drawing wide” say Hollis.
Also contesting Race 6 is the Brent Mangos trained first starter Justcallmemiki, a 2 year old Alwaysbmiki colt out of the well performed mare Alchemist. Driven by Maurice McKendry, the colt starts from barrier 3 and Mangos expects he will go a good race.
“Although he hasn’t had a workout this time in, he had a handful of workouts and qualified earlier in the year and is a very forward horse” says Mangos “His work has been very good and he should be competitive in this field.”
Amongst tonight’s fields there’s also an International Junior Driver having their New Zealand race debut. David Grundmann, a 23 year old from Sweden and winner of 38 races in his home country, steps off the plane and straight into the sulky driving Play Footsie in Race 1 for employer Jay Abernethy.
“We have had other International drivers work for us and we have a number of horses in the coming year who will be eligible for penalty free and concession races” says Abernethy “David comes with good reports from Sweden and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
Racing gets underway at 5:43pm Friday night.
