By Jonny Turner
There’s one factor within the control of Commander Ben’s camp and one outside of it as the pacer looks to cap his strong recent placings with a Temuka Transport Waikouaiti Pacers Cup victory at Oamaru today.
The five-year-old is in for a rematch with One Change after his third placing in the recent Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park for trainers Brent and Tim White.
The pair will clash with in-form pacers Piccadilly Pete, Tempo Warrior and Tabasco in a competitive 3000m grass track feature at Oamaru at 6.19pm. One Change is a $2.50 favourite, with Commander Ben at $9.
Though beaten in his last two starts, Commander Ben couldn’t have produced much more.
The pacer stormed home from a hopeless spot when third in the Cromwell Cup before recovering well from a scratchy start in the Northern Southland Cup for his third there.
While the White camp can’t control what Commander Ben will do when the tapes are released on Sunday, they have been able to get him back onto his happy place – grass track racing.
“He does love the grass and if he is able to step away a bit better this time and stay in front of One Change he should be a good each way chance,” Tim White said.
“He has gone three nice races this year, his win at Roxburgh was good and his run at Cromwell couldn’t have been any better.”
While getting back onto grass is clearly a plus for Commander Ben, stepping up to the 3000m staying trip looks another.
“It is a trip that suits him these days,” White said.
“Earlier on in his career distance wasn’t his forte.”
“But he has got stronger as he has gone on.”
“He is best following and if he can get on a helmet, the 3000m should suit him.”
The White stable also start Randel Huston P at Oamaru in Race 4, the Equine Veterinary Services and Belmont Park Trot.
The trotter charged back into his best form with a four-length victory on the Oamaru all-weather recently.
With that win being penalty-free, Randel Huston P takes on similar opposition on Sunday.
“He has won twice on the all-weather there, hopefully he can do it on the grass too.”
“He seems to run his best races in front, when he’s further back he gets out of his gait a wee bit and loses interest.”
Kimberly Butt takes the reins behind both Commander Ben and Randel Huston P at Oamaru.