By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Irwell trainers Peter and Mitchell Robertson are “hopeful” one of their two chances can go close at Addington’s midweek meeting today.
The father and son combo line up two favoured runners in Ambleside Drive and Dream Boyz in Race 2, the Book Now for Owners Night March 28th Mobile Pace (4.40pm). They will be driven by Blair Orange and John Dunn.
The stablemates make up a quarter of the eight horse field but the numbers aren’t necessarily good for the pair – Ambleside Drive is still a maiden after 61 starts and Dream Boyz is seeking his first win at start number 16 today.
“We are hopeful that one of them will go close,” says Peter Robertson.
Six-year-old mare Ambleside Drive is one of the country’s “nearly” horses, with 10 seconds.
“We thought she would have won one early on,” says Robertson, “she just doesn’t know how to finish it off.”
“She tries hard but just does little things wrong, like pulling too hard and that sort of thing.”
In her last start at Motukarara on Sunday she had a tough run. She was sent to the lead and then urged on a long way out before holding on to fourth, 10 lengths from the winner, Miracle Memphis.
“Just how she’ll bounce back from that I’m not sure,” says Robertson.
She is now the $3 favourite, with Dream Boyz and Christian Bale at $3.20 and Shapely the fourth pick at $4.80.
Dream Boyz, a Sweet Lou four-year-old, heads to Addington on the back of a last start second there on February 25.
“On his day Dream Boyz would beat Ambleside but things would have to go dead right for him,” says Robertson, “he’s got a funny attitude and he’s had a few niggles and lung problems but he seems reasonably well at the moment.”
The first of the day’s eight races is due to get underway at 4.05pm.