The local is counting the hours to Methven‘s biggest day of the year when all the locals get to see some of harness racing’s best horseflesh live at the Mt. Harding course on Sunday, with the features being the Alabar Methven Cup and the What The Hill Mares Trot.
So here’s the way he sees it on Methven’s big day.
Race 1 -A roughie in Art Collector who is steadily improving for Warren Stapleton to overcome a second line draw to beat stablemate Iron Woman with Caballe Beach to round off a big trifecta. Multiples – consistent Kingston Atom and Rocknroll Mama.
Race 2 – Another attempting to overcome a second line draw in Ilsa’s Son to beat likely favourite Queen of Strathfield and honest Inherent Royal. Multiples Bryan Boru (must be an Irish connection here) and beautifully bred Monaro Mako.
Race 3 – King Arthur deserves a win should be here over Cheap Cheap and Perfect Cut from a stable that always goes well here. Multiples boilover chance in local President Pat and first upper Jimmy Paul.
Race 4 – Harrison good last time then spelled, very hard to head from Manjimup has speed with soft run and Unchanged Memory quaddie chances Doctor Steve and Talisin.
Race 5 – Good race many chances Playa La Vista who will be improving with every run over promising local in Cranbourne and likely favourite in Better Fly. Multiples – Laver and Dhauligiri.
Race 6 – Best idea here would be to ring a good spiritual medium and make contact with Nostradamus because almost every horse in the race is a chance which suggest the handicaps are spot on. But we must find one so local Sonoma Tyron to beat Idle Stuartia and Fanny Hill for multiples Sioux Princess and Medusa.
Race 7 – Going rough here with Bettor Beintoit who was o.k. last time from likely favourite in Pro Surfer and Hell’s Shadow. Multiples Ava Adore and Geoff’s Legacy.
Race 8 – Another even lot we like grass specialist Classy Kid to beat promising type in Buckskin and tiny local in Sisters Delight chances do not stop there and we add Standout and Boom for multiples.
Race 9 – Gee what a race will Wild Excuse try and run the favourites off their feet and who will be sitting on the mares back? Tempo will decide everything and again the handicapper has done a good job as will not be a jog in the park for the All Stars pair again though we have to make a decision and we believe Nandolo can upset Spankem and Self Assured with Di Caprio and Tango Tara for multiples.
Race 10 – Yet another tough race with many chances Koenigsegg deserves a winning turn from Fynn Frost and brilliant Southern mare in Watch Me Now. Multiples IKnow and Nemera Franco.
Race 11 – Tough old Beyond The Horizon loves it here to have the nose in front of Mighty Flying Rocker and Franco Josiah who is all heart. Extras – Mikemaro and probable favourite in Navara.
Race 12 – Givemewhatineed who was sensational last time here to beat Magical Ideal and Mr Asia for multiples, free going Paul’s Verdict and Highland Reign.
So the local says happy punting and then better attack that video of the All Blacks and the ancient enemy in Australia.
Kyle Cameron is a young North Canterbury trainer who is doing a solid job with generally modest bred stock Kyle travels to Methven Sunday so we caught up with him about his chances.
Kyle’s first drive is Unchanged Memory for dad Ian in race 4, Kyle assessed his chances as generally a safe but slowish beginner from the stand and if in striking distance will find the line.
His next outing is in race 6, is with one he trains good intermediate trotter Medusa, Kyle feels she is racing well from tough marks at Addington and her chances will depend on whether she can get handy without spending too much petrol, again a rough chance.
Next up is Been To Jenny’s , an honest mare drawn badly who would need a lot of luck here.
In race 10 Fynn Frost another he trains is well drawn and his trainer gives him a chance with the right run in what he correctly assesses as a very even field.
In race 11 he drives Prince Teka which he says ‘has been racing well and must be accorded some chance’. He rates his last two drives as his best chances on the day.
When asked his view on the big race the Methven Cup Kyle believes he has to plump for likely favourite Self Assured.
By Mike Heenan