By Mike Love
Piccadilly Pete ($2.25FF) is in a great run of form going into today’s Rosco Contractors Reefton Pacers Cup over 2500m.
After winning the Westport cup and backing up on day two of that meeting with another empathic victory there is no reason to doubt he will be hard to beat once again.
One horse that may spoil the party is a newcomer to the circuit in Clonakilty.
The Brent and Tim White trained runner has opened a close second favourite at $2.90FF although co-trainer Tim White suggests the Downbytheseaside gelding may be looking for the run.
“We’re happy enough but I think he will need a bit of racing in this company. He got crook and he’s taken a bit to get through it. This is his first trip away from home so he will improve a lot with whatever he does,” said White.
“He’s definitely an each way chance.”
Clonakilty has not raced since running ninth at Methven back in October – the only blemish in his form now having won three from just four starts.
“He’s lacked a real hard trial. He had a quiet one at Methven then at Addington they didn’t go hard.”
In the trotters version of the Reefton Cup sponsored by Dawson’s Hotel, the White team line up their only other runner to the meeting in KD Royalty ($14.00FF). After producing a good effort at Ascot Park last time out the five year old Royal Aspirations mare may give punters a run for their money at juicy odds.
“I think she’s a lovely chance. She’s going really well and was unlucky at Invercargill.”
“She’ll get set up for the Seddon Shield so we’ll probably go to Nelson after this.”
The Paul Nairn trio who ran the trifecta in the main trot at Westport two days ago – Masterly, El Conqueror and Tu Tangata – look to be the hardest to beat.
Gerard O’Reilly will take the drive on both Clonakilty and KD Royalty.
Race one gets underway at 11.52am.
Sideshow Bruce turning heads after Westport double
By Mike Love
While the history-making Samantha Ottley stole the headlines, and rightly so, at Westport another star performer has been the Robert Stuart-trained Sideshow Bruce.
The three-year-old Sweet Lou gelding made it two from two on the circuit. Both victories were eye catching performances in the hands of Blair Orange.
“He’s going along alright. He seems to like the grass,” said trainer Robert Stuart.
After rounding up his rivals for fun on the first day, Sideshow Bruce repeated the dose on the second day in the Pat Scanlon Memorial Martins Mitre 10 Westport mobile pace over 2600m. Sideshow Bruce settled third last for the most part of the race before receiving a convenient drag into the race from the 400m. Orange then angled to produce Sideshow Bruce who was dominant in the run to the line winning by two and a half lengths from local charge Stanley’s Rule.
“He’s got a really good attitude.”
“We got him in January and have taken him along quietly since then. We are pleased that all the work we’ve put into him has turned a profit. He’s been a little bit difficult at times.”
Sideshow Bruce’s win made it his third from just four starts with his only defeat a narrow second.
“He’ll race at Nelson and then have a decent break.”
Other highlights on the card were a training and driving double for Jim Curtin (Red Wine Kisses and Brandi Snapp), Samantha Ottley driving four winners (Geena’s Gift, Francent, Masterly and Piccadilly Pete), Paul Nairn training the trifecta in the Total Gas Care Durban Chief Westport Trotters Cup (Masterly, El Conqueror, Tu Tangata) and a double for Michael House and Wilson House (Hit The Lights and The Next Best Thing).