By Mike Love
After achieving win number 300 in the sulky at Westport on Friday, in-form Canterbury driver Sheree Tomlinson will be looking for more success at Reefton today.
Tomlinson drove a double on Friday, bringing up her milestone win on a horse she also part owns in Rosary, trained by Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be on her (Rosary). She was disappointing at Addington in the start before, and I wasn’t even really going to bring her over but there was space on the truck.
“It was cool too because I own her and in our colours. So it was cool,” said Tomlinson.
Today Tomlinson will have the responsibility of steering eight runners on a track she seldom visits.
“I’ve only driven at Reefton once! They do a great job over here with hospitality. It’s very organised.”
Billy Kimbler ($4.40FF) starts the day off in Race 1, the Speights Trot over 2500m.
“I’m not sure if the grass suits him. He has the ability to win a maiden, but I just think he’s still a bit mentally weak. If he trots he is competitive but he needs a little more ringcraft.”
In Race 3, Gamely ($13.00FF) will be looking to continue her form at juicy each way odds in the Hotel Reefton Liquor Centre pace over 2500m. The Amber Lethaby trained runner was a solid third on Friday, and according to Tomlinson a minor gear change today may assist the seven-year-old Sir Lincoln mare.
“She’ll be a good chance. I couldn’t get her onto the passing lane on Friday. I think Amber is going to put a jaw breaker on her so hopefully that helps. But she’s racing well and should be a good place chance again.“
Sweet Glory ($4.20FF) for Lethaby again in Race 4, the Gilsenan Family/Reefton Supervalue Mobile Pace over 2450m will be looking to improve on her performance on Friday – and Tomlinson thinks the Sweet Lou mare will be able to do so.
“She got too far back on Friday but she went really well. She hit the line under her own steam, and she’s a good place chance too.”
Tomlinson then reunites with the family colours on Zsazsa Binx ($11.00FF) in Race 6, the Birchfield Mining (Team Teal) Trot over 2500m.
“I pushed her a bit too hard early on Friday. Hopefully she steps quick enough to hold up her spot. She should go pretty good with the right kind of run and tempo.”
Tomlinson suggests her best value drive of the day comes in Race 8, the Greymouth Star (Team Teal) Pace with Major Hipster ($16.00FF). The Matt Purvis trained four-year-old Art Major gelding pleased Tomlinson on Friday at Westport.
“They came home in 55 seconds on Friday which makes it really impossible to get into it from the back. His sectionals would’ve been pretty smart. He gets a better draw today and should follow out a quick beginner. As long has he’s come through Friday okay, he should have a good chance with some luck.”
Tomlinson’s other drives are :
Race 2 – Racey Krusa
Race 9 – Misty Blue
Race 11 – Normi Stead
The Team Teal campaign will enter its final week next week – wrapping up on March 16 at the Banks Peninsula and Wingatui meetings, after female drivers won eight of the 11 races at Westport on Friday.
Race 1 gets underway at 11:56am
