After all the hype and highlights at Friday’s Night of Champions at Cambridge, harness racing returns today with a Sunday double header.
The Cheviot Cup and a Group 3 for the two-year-old fillies highlights action at Addington while later in the day there’s a six race meeting at Manawatu, starting at 3.16pm.
Big open field for Cheviot Cup
By Mike Love
With a history dating back to 1946, this year’s Cheviot Business Cheviot Cup Handicap Pace (4.02pm) has attracted a big field and plenty of chances.
The two most heavily-supported runners are Xlendi ($3.90) and Renegade ($4.80). But the winning hopes don’t end there with Radha, Betterthancash, Double Time, Tanzania and Built For Glory and others also in the mix.
“Sunday does look a great race for him, especially over the long trip because he is such a great stayer,” Renegade’s trainer Brendon Hill told Raceform.
He’ll start off 30 metres.
“What we’re doing with him now is preparing for the future too, because he’s got to be able to face up to the tape and step away well from the stands, so there’s a long-term benefit too.”
Past Cup champions have included the likes of Tiger Tara (2015) and Starship (1988).
To place a bet on the Cheviot Cup click here
In the $40,000 Group 3 Cobbity Equine Farm Leonard Memorial Mobile Pace (2.48pm) for the two-year-old fillies the Mark and Nathan Purdon pair look to hold the aces.
The $1.85 favourite is Secret Wish (Blair Orange) who was a dominant winner at her previous start beating race rival Bettor Belle.
“(She) has trained on nicely since her last start win, should make her presence felt from the draw,” said a comment on the All Stars racing website.
Secret Wish has shown good gate speed in her two starts to date and it would not be a surprise to see Orange use this to her advantage.
Alecto ($10.00FF) is Purdon’s other chance in the event with driver Jonny Cox. The Bettor’s Delight filly has had one start where she was a strong placegetter at Addington on March 21.
“(She) run a great second against the colts last start, has stepped up in her training since that race and should be right in this.”
Other chances in the event include the southern visitor Havtimewillfly ($4.40FF) for trainer Brett Gray, while Bettor Belle for Cran and Chrissie Dalgety must also be respected.
The first of 11 races at Addington goes at 12.23pm.
Dixieland Delight David Butcher’s best of the day at Manawatu
By Brigette Solomon
Trainer and driver David Butcher heads to Manawatu today for the first time this season with several promising each way chances including one he trains in Brookside Girl.
The five-year-old mare starts today in the S & A Telfer Stables Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and is resuming after a lengthy spell having last raced in August last year.
“I am pretty happy with her, but she’s only had the one workout in a small heat at Cambridge leading up to this and it’s her first look at Manawatu,” says Butcher, “given the long break she’s had she’ll need the run, but she’s still a place chance today.”
Brookside Girl is a winner of two races, both at Alexandra Park, and a further six placings from just 16 starts. She starts today’s event from barrier three and appears well placed to begin her new campaign.
In the Wendy Devenport Stables Mobile Pace, Butcher is positive about the two horses trained by his son Benjamin, I Can Too (4) and Hearts And Aces (5). Butcher drives I Can Too, with Benjamin taking the reins on I Can Too.
“There’s not a lot between the two of them and I think they’ve probably been racing in slightly better company with the majority of their starts having been at Auckland,” says Butcher, “they’re both each way chances if things go their way.”
Prompting some family rivalry, Butcher’s other son Zachary also trains Enzo (1) who starts in the same race. The gelding finished third and fourth respectively at last week’s Manawatu meeting and is driven this week by Sailesh Abernethy.
The horse Butcher considers his best chance of the day is the Scott Dickson trained Dixieland Delight who contests the Alan and Trina Shutkowski Stables Mobile Pace over 2000 metres.
The Art Major mare has been in excellent form posting two wins and two seconds at Manawatu since joining the Dickson stable. Her most recent win was on Tuesday when she settled back in the field from her barrier eight draw, before rounding the field to lead over the final 1200 metres and score a comfortable win by a 1.75 length margin.
“I know they’ve been pretty happy with her this week and her form is very good heading into todaym” says Butcher, “she is up in grade today so it’s a stronger field and it’s always just that bit harder to win as they progress through the grades.”
“I think she’d be my best of the day, but the rest are all good place chances too.”
Butcher also drives Trippy Tyron – R1, Victor Bravo – R3, and Beta Prepare – R6.
Racing gets underway today at 3.16pm.