Grass track racing resumes post a winter break, at Methven today. It’s a bumper 12 race programme starting at 11.44am. Trials on the grass last week conducted by the Mt Hutt Trotting Club are a good guide to what is usually a tricky day to find winners. Here’s commentator-Trackside presenter Marc Cookson’s best at Mt Harding.
Race 1 Mt Hutt Workouts Mobile Pace
7 Verducci : Lightly raced over winter but when he did race it was in strong fields. Four of his 6 placings so far have been on grass.
4 Ultimate Seisation : Settled four pegs with Ricky May on at the Mt Hutt trials. Moved off at the 600 and challenged leader and looked the winner at the 150m, beaten by a fast finishing Franco Chaplin
Race 2 Methven Seeds Trot
9 Muscle Dash : Clean beginning from wide barrier at Mt Hutt trials and settled three the markers, hitting the line within a length of the winner. Did plenty of work last time to the races behind a young trotter who has won again since.
4 Madam Patsy : Settled third in a three horse trial then put into proceedings last 600m doing nice work late to beat its race rival here, Monkeycmonkeydoo.
Race 3 Ashburton MSA Racing Section Pace
5 Franco Chaplin : Eye catching finish taking the short way home at the Mt Hutt Trials. Good indication of a bold run on Sunday.
Race 4 Peter Lagan Standardbreds Mobile Pace
1 Opo : Barrier 1 with Robbie Holmes driving over the Methven mile. Broke its maiden on grass and has placed here at Methven in the past. Gate speed could come from Flo Motion and Sports Babe.
Race 5 Ashburton Powdercoating and Sandblasting Trot
3 Take After Me : Another bold showing at start 372 at Ashburton last week. Should be prominent again.
7 Brian Beatt : Going good, consistent races and last week was no different. Worth another each way play.
Race 6 Katie Cox Memorial (Filles and Mares) Mobile Pace
9 Rakero Ice : Hard to look past the win at Rangiora going away from them. Start two and moves to the mobile. She should find the front at Methven where on speed could be the place to be on Sunday.
Race 7 Betavet Junior Drivers Mobile Pace
9 Kaysans Rock : Only a half length from Piccadilly Pete at Addington when backed to favoritism fresh up. Junior drivers’ race and drawn wide, but on the bold fresh run and the trial for amongst some handy types I would be including him.
Race 8 South Island Seeds Handicap Trot
7 MM Sunshine : She was beaten by a maiden who is heading for potential slot races and Derbys. Could find the front and when she finds the front she always remains there or thereabouts.
Race 9 Mt Hutt Motels Pace
4 Santanna Mach : A former Wairarapa and Otaki Cup winner on grass. Start number 200 today and dropping out of last weeks 35-54 to a 35-41 this week.
Race 10 Rainer Irrigation Handicap Pace
10 Times Are A Changin : A horse that has been hanging out for the return of the grass tracks. With success here at Methven always worthy of an each way play.
Race 11 The Dubliner Trot
1 Torvi : Beat stablemate Crazy N Love who won a few days later at Rangiora. Meanwhile Torvi went to the Mt Hutt trials and sat second last on the pegs then moved into cover in the running line at the 800. Let down nicely in the straight fanning out wide to win by a neck. Signs pointing to a prominent resumption.
Race 12 Matt Smith Construction Mobile Pace
9 Stephs Boy : Drops in grade and won the “Young At Heart” pacers mile here in November after being driven positively by Blair Orange.
Best Bet: Rakero Ice(Race 6)
Next Best: Franco Chaplin(Race 3)
Value Bets: Muscle Dash(Race 2)
Stephs Boy(Race 12)
