By Jonny Turner
A lot can change in the year of harness racing and there is no better example than the 2024 Placemakers Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on Sunday.
A fine field has been assembled for the traditional New Zealand Cup lead-up with the line up reflecting this season’s changing of the open class guard.
Just three horses that contested last year’s Hannon return this year, with a raft of up and comers getting the chance to put their hand up to become a New Zealand Cup contender, just as Dalton Shard has in Addington’s two recent lead up races, the Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase and the Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup.
The progressive Pinseeker could be one of the horses to do exactly that.
The pacer made massive strides during his first racing campaign to arrive on the fringes of open class.
At the time of last year’s Hannon, Pinseeker was unraced with three trials and workouts under his belt for trainer-driver Jonny Cox.
As impressive as he was winning four of his eight starts last prep, logic says that following a break the horse should return bigger and better for what will only be his second racing preparation.
If there is one tiny negative with Pinseeker it looks to be his barrier 1 draw.
The pacer is undoubtedly a safe beginner, but he’s not fast away and there are queries whether he may end up buried on the pegs.
Another also firmly in the up and comers category is Mo’unga whose continued maturing is seeing his racing manners catching up with his speed and his talent.
Republican Party, Macandrew Aviator and Mighty Looee are the three horses to return from last year’s Hannon on Sunday.
Republican Party went a big race last year, working in testing conditions to find the front before fighting on strongly to run second behind star mare Aardie’s Express.
The pacer has trialled twice ahead of his return to racing and those efforts suggest he’s ready to run a big race for trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety.
The chances of testing conditions again this year look possible with the Metservice forecasting some showers on Friday and Saturday and rain on Sunday.
However, Oamaru locals are offering a much brighter outlook on Sunday’s weather.
To see the Hannon Memorial field click here
