Junior driver Leah Hibell has a handy book of drives at Otaki today including a strong contender in the Grant Plumbing Ltd Wellington Cup with Idolou, who she drives for Cambridge based trainer and her employer, Nicky Chilcott.
“I think Idolou is a good chance today” says Hibell “She has been racing well in some strong fields and drops back in grade today which I’m sure she’ll appreciate.”
The five year old mare by Sweet Lou has been lightly raced for three wins from just ten starts and has met strong competition lately coming up against the likes of Miki Shan, Fernetti, The Surfer, and Ultimate Racy Girl. In her previous two starts, Idolou has finished fifth with solid performances.
At Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve, Idolou finished just a length from the winner Minjee in the TAB Northern Metro Pacers Final, with a solid finish after racing three and four wide with cover over the final lap. Meanwhile her last start at Cambridge was in the Waikato Pacers Summer Cup, and Idolou was the sole starter off the front line stepping quickly and leading the race throughout before being swamped over the final stages with the race won by Miki Shan. On that occasion she was just 1.3 lengths from the winner.
“She’s drawn six today which is a little niggly and could make the race a little trickier” says Hibell “I’ll maybe look at getting back early but it’s a good long straight here on the grass which will help and she’s capable of a strong finish.”
Hibell combines with Chilcott for three other races including Hot Jessie (R1), Messenger Buoy (R4) and Katies Princess (R6).
“I think Messenger Buoy and Katies Princess are both good each way chances today, in fact I think they are probably my best chances,” says Hibell “Messenger Buoy has been racing fantastic lately, it’s just a five horse field and he’s great in that he can sit anywhere in running and I can have faith that he’ll always put in and go a good race.”
The Sunshine Beach gelding has only run out of the money once in his past ten races and starts in The Boundary Tap & Kitchen Mobile Pace from barrier four today. Meanwhile Katies Princess starts in the Monk Family Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and is another that enjoys a drop back in grade today.
“Katies Princess starts from two and I’ll be hoping to cross and lead on her” says Hibell “She likes the grass tracks having won and placed on the grass last year and she’s an honest type who goes some tough races.”
Hibell also drives the Rodney Frampton trained Whitfield in the NZ Proud Property Improvements Mobile Pace. The combination were winners two starts ago at Tauherenikau, followed by a fourth last start at Otaki.
“It’s a bit of an even field and he’s one that can’t do too much work so I’ll be looking for cover” says Hibell “If he gets a nice trip and can have one good run at them he’s a first four chance.”
“My drives today are all well placed and while I don’t like being overconfident, I think there are a couple that are capable of winning” says Hibell.
The racing action gets underway today at 12.05pm.