By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Could Sam Snead be the omen bet at Addington’s midweek meeting on Wednesday?
The Joseph Gray-trained five-year-old lines up in race 7, the Book Now for Anzac Day Racing and League Mobile Pace (7.15pm) just days before the world’s best golfers compete in the first major of the year, the Masters at Augusta Georgia, a tournament the great Sam Snead won three times between 1949 and 1954.
The closest Gray’s horse has come to winning has been two thirds at Addington on March 19 and at Ashburton a week later.
Last start he was seventh behind Arthur Shelby at Addington last Friday.
“In his last start he ran home (last 800) in 57 and a bit,” says Gray, “I’d say he’d be a good chance and one of the favourites.”
“He hasn’t got a lot of high speed and is more of a staying type but he’s going to win one soon.’
He opened an $11 joint third favourite behind Shapely ($2.40) and Melton Enforcer ($2.15).
Gray has three runners on the day and reckons “with any luck they are all good each way chances”.
King Arthur gets things started in race 1, the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion Mobile Pace for the amateur drivers.
A $3.60 favourite he’ll be driven by Dan Roberts. He’s drawn ideally at three.
“His best chance is to get across. He needs the pegs so he can lead or trail,” says Gray, “he loves to get out and rolling.”
Motor Mouth, a nine race winner with a similar racing style, will start in Race 3, the Allied Security Mobile Pace. After a last start seventh he’s at $15 in the market with the Michael House-trained Didjashoutthebar a $3.60 favourite.”
“He’s had issues with feet and has had some time out and he’s building fitness,” says Gray of Motor Mouth, ” but I was happy with his last start and he shouldn’t be far away in that field.”
In keeping with the golf theme, the eight race programme tees off at Addington at 4.31pm.
