By Jonny Turner
Wednesday’s racing at Oamaru could make or break Carter Dalgety’s national junior drivers premiership hopes.
The midweek meeting is at the beginning of an impressive line-up of drives Dalgety has over the coming five days.
Dalgety (52) heads to Oamaru eight wins behind premiership leader Sam Thornley (60)who has a five-win lead over Wilson House (55), though this week Thornley is away at the Australasian Young Drivers Championships.
While Dalgety knows catching to two talented drivers in front of him is a huge ask, he knows it is not impossible.
“We won’t be giving up that’s for sure, we will be giving it a good go.”
“If I am ever going to make up a bit of ground on Sam it will be this week because I have got quite a few nice drives.”
“With Sam being away hopefully the gap can close, but then Wilson is probably going to get a few at Manawatu (on Thursday).”
“Hopefully we can give it a bit of a nudge, to be away for three months and be this close is pretty good.”
“The premiership was always in the back of my mind, but with the people I met and the experiences I had in America I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Dalgety will don colours punters are more used to seeing Thornley in on Wednesday, linking up with two key chances for trainer Bruce Negus.
In Race 10 (8.07pm) in the Next Oamaru HRC Meeting 5th March Mobile Pace, Mouton Cadet looks a big winning hope on the back of his strong third at Wingatui on Sunday.
“I thought his third at Wingatui was great and before that he didn’t disgrace himself behind Better Eclipse,” Dalgety said.
“He gets to draw inside the better chances and hopefully he can take advantage of it.”
Negus and Dalgety also combine with Dancing Glenis in Race 6 (6.00pm), the Stephen Heffernan at Property Brokers Handicap Trot.
“She won nicely enough at Orari and this race doesn’t look any harder.”
“If she can get away well enough she would have to be a good show.”
Dalgety gets an opportunity behind star triallist Seacracka at Oamaru on Wednesday in Race 7, the David Ovens Building Mobile Pace (6.35pm). The Jonny Cox trained filly ran sizzling splits in a recent hit out at Ashburton.
“Her trial was very good, she’s been off the scene but her last run was behind Millwood Nike.”
“Even from the bad draw (8), she looks a very good chance.”
The Mark Jones trained Bullit Train looks another great pickup drive for Dalgety in Race 9 (7.33pm), the Placemakers Handicap Trot.
Dalgety reunites with Ebury Street who he rates a nice winning hope for trainer Tom Bamford in Race 8 (7.08pm), the David Heffernan PGG Wrightson Real Estate Pace.
“She loves a stand and this looks like quite a suitable race, I think she can go close.”
The junior driver also links up with Jay R Tolkien (Race 2, 3.40pm) and Meandad (Race 4, 4.50pm) at Oamaru.
