By Mike Love
Harness racing returns to the grass at Rangiora today with an entertaining 10-race programme set to get underway at 12:32pm. Headlining the card is the $25,000 New World Rangiora Summer Cup.
Favourite for the race Audacity will look to keep his perfect Rangiora grass track record as he aims for more country cups glory. He’s won two from two on the grass at Rangiora and three from seven overall in 2024.
McQueens Valley trainer Steve Harding is confident of a forward showing by his upcoming stable star.
“He likes the track so hopefully he can keep that record intact,” said trainer Steve Harding.
Having just his 13th career start today, Audacity is looking to back up his dominant Akaroa Cup win on November 30.
“He’s come through that run really well. He had the toughest run and was too good.”
Ross Cameron will pilot the five-year-old gelding by Sir Lincoln whose main job will be getting him away.
“As long as he steps. That’s been his problem at the moment but he’s stepped alright the last couple of starts, so fingers crossed.”
“Ross has done a really good job with him. Teaching him how to race, he’s really starting to come to it.”
Audacity is the current favourite ($2.45FF) and will need to come off a 10 metre unruly handicap. Xlendi ($3.50FF) looks a big danger starting off the front for trainer Bob Butt and may look to dominate early with manners. Arguably the value will come with last week’s Geraldine Cup winner Bryce’s Meddle ($14.00FF) starting off 20 metres, while the Laurence Hanrahan pair Tanzania ($13.00FF) and Woodbine Rocks ($11.00FF) look value each way.
Cameron trains and drives Lonnekers ($7.50FF) in Race 3, the Peter Bagrie Memorial who will be having his third race day start, and he will also drive Jose Quivera in Race 10, the Balcairn Stockfoods mobile pace.
Another feature event on the programme is Race 9, the $20,000 North Canterbury Trotting Handicap over the 2600m which the current favourite is Masterly at $3.70FF for trainer Paul Nairn with Bob Butt to drive.
