By Mike Love
South Canterbury trainer Noel Taylor is cautious about the chances of Swift Dream ($5.00FF) in Race 11, the Sheree Tomlinson and Matt Cross Trot at Monday’s Banks Peninsula meeting at Addington Raceway.
Although the nine-year-old Superfast Stuart gelding has been trotting in a fine vein of form lately winning two of his last three starts, three of four of Swift Dream’s wins have come on grass.
The 12-race programme starts at 11.15am at Addington after being transferred from Motukarara because of bad weather over the past few days.
“Grass would’ve been better for him – but with the weather around they made the right call shifting it,” says Taylor.
Swift Dream picked up a penalty free win last time out at Methven when driven by legend Ricky May in an invited drivers race. He remains in the same or similar class on Sunday.
Swift Dream will be driven by leading reinsman Blair Orange who has a book of eight drives.
“Blair’s always a bonus and has driven her a lot. So I’ll be leaving it up to him.”
Orange has driven Swift Dream for two of his victories and three placings.
“It’ll be tough from his draw – if it’s wet then we will have to be handy enough when it counts.
“I’ve been really happy with him lately – he’s so honest,” said Taylor.
Other chances in the big even field include Crown The Moment ($7.00FF) from the inside draw of one, and the likes of Lindy’s Rocket ($12.00FF), Prince Teka ($23.00FF) and Diamond Harbour ($14.00FF) who all enjoy being on speed which will be vital over the short distance and likely slushy conditions.
Swift Dream is the only horse Taylor has in work at the moment while he works his sheep farm at Kohika. He has trained 56 winners with over $390,000 in stakes in his career.
To see Monday’s fields click here
