By Mike Love
Waikouaiti trainer Amber Hoffman will make the 300 kilometre trek north to Addington raceway today with a trio of solid chances.
Kicking off Hoffman’s chances will be Petite Trixton ($5.50FF) in race 2 the Thank You Sam Taylor Vet trot over 2000 metres.
The four year old Trixton mare has had two runs back since a long lay off for two good placings. With her good manners, and a front line draw over the testing 2000 metre distance, Petite Trixton should be in play.
A few gear changes on the mare will see the blinds and fixed deafeners come off, while removable deafeners are added. Kerryn Tomlinson will take the drive.
“She’s going good, honest races. Hopefully she will be a top four chance,” said Hoffman.
Other chances in the event include the Gerard O’Reilly trained and driven My Royal Break ($3.80FF) who will just need to do things right, while the Jason and Ian Thomas runner Bonjour Paris ($6.00FF) is in the market with junior driver Carter Dalgety in the sulky.
Trail Boss ($7.50FF) will represent Hoffman in race 8 the Happy 60th Davey Pace over 2600 metres. Blair Orange will take the drive on the four year old Vincent gelding who has won once and placed four times from his 10 career starts.
Although they will have their work cut out for them by needing to overcome a draw from the unruly position, in what has the maximum starters, Trail Boss has been racing consistently well, placing in three of his last four outings.
The blinds come off Trail Boss for today’s assignment.
“He will need to bring his manners from the stand today. If he steps and behaves I expect him to go well.”
Other chances in the event include race favourite Sweethomealabama ($2.40FF) for the in form Mark Jones team, with Samantha Ottley to drive, as well as the Gerard O’Reilly trained Resilient ($4.80FF) with Sarah O’Reilly in the sulky who comes in after a solid second placing at their previous start.
Rounding out Hoffman’s chances is Cheer Me On ($4.40FF) in race 9 the Woodlands Stud Supporting Our Future Mobile pace over 1980 metres.
The four year old He’s Watching mare has not raced since March, however did trial on May 29th at Oamaru. Blair Orange will also take the drive on the mare who has placed twice from eight starts. Drawn two, Cheer Me On will have every opportunity to give a good sight in the lowly rated maiden affair.
“Her work has been good. If she tries, she could go a cheeky race.”
Other chances include the Brad Mowbray trained pair Okiwi Bay ($7.50FF) for Sheree Tomlinson and Major Cheddar ($21.00FF) for Matthew Williamson, while Ambleside Drive ($4.40FF) for Peter and Mitchel Robertson with Samantha Ottley to drive and My Skatjie ($3.00FF) for Carl Markham and Sarah O’Reilly make up the market favourites.
Hoffman to date has trained 140 winners and won over $1.3 million in stakes.
Meanwhile, Ashburton reinswoman Sarah O’Reilly is chasing down her 300th career driving victory. O’Reilly has six engagements today, including Noah Magnific ($35.00FF) in race 5, Big Mama Morris ($31.00FF) in race 6, Taumutu Lad ($9.00FF) in race 7, the aforementioned Resilient race 8 and My Skatjie race 9, as well as Amelia Rose ($7.00FF) in race 11.
Racing commences from 11:53am.
