By Brigette Solomon
Pukekohe trainers Peter and Vaughan Blanchard will be hoping their run of success continues at Cambridge Raceway’s iconic Christmas Eve race meeting tonight.
The father and son partnership start five horses with the first of those being God Dam to be driven by Sailesh Abernethy in Race 2, the Summer of Racing @ CR Starts 7th Jan Mobile Pace over 2200m.
“She’s new to the stable and we are still getting to know her, but we’ve been happy enough with her work through the week” says Blanchard.
Acushla Machree, a winner of three races in a row before finishing 8th in the Group 3 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes, starts in Race 5, the NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale 18-21 Mobile Pace.
“She’s had a big campaign but seems well, and despite the tricky draw of 8 over 1700m I think will go a good race” says Blanchard.
Cyclone Lucky Linda and Ruby Ridge contend in Race 7, the IRT Cambridge Xmas Handicap Trot, with both horses starting off the front line and driven by Zachary Butcher and Peter Ferguson, respectively.
“These two mares have had minor issues and haven’t come back quite as we hoped but we think they’re getting to their best now and provided they get good trips and do things right they should be hitting the line well” says Blanchard “Ruby Ridge also prefers racing left-handed having won 4 races here.”
The Blanchard’s final runner, Sunshine Shelby, also looks a good chance in Race 8, the Mark Wambold Memorial Mobile Pace over 2200m. The 3 year old by Sunshine Beach brings solid Alexandra Park form and was a gallant 2nd when beaten narrowly by My Copy on the 8th of December.
“I think he’s our best chance of the night, he’s really grown up and learnt what racing is all about now” says Blanchard “On the whole the team is pretty well placed tonight.”
Sunshine Shelby starts from barrier 3 with Peter Ferguson driving.
Race 6, the Dunstan Horse Feeds Cambridge Xmas Handicap Pace, will be one not to miss with the ten horse field including a host of competitive performers. Recent country cup winners Bad Medicine, Miki Shan and Brookie’s Jaffa all start in the field and 15 race winner New York Minute starts fresh in his first start since July.
The race starts at 4:47pm and is a Country Championship Qualifier.
The first race begins at 2:10pm and keep your eyes peeled for Santa who is set to hit the track!
