By Mike Love
It’s a change of scene and occasion for Pinseeker today.
After a huge fifth in the $1m Race by betcha at Cambridge three weeks ago, won sensationally by Leap To Fame, Pinseeker returns to action at Rangiora this afternoon.
He’ll start a $3.40 favourite in the Waimakariri Businesses Rangiora Winter Cup. While The Race by betcha was a 2200 mobile against Australasia’s best, today will be a 2600m stand for $25,000 with Pinseeker and trainer-driver Jonny Cox having to overcome a 35 metre handicap.
The Downbytheseaside five-year-old gelding has amassed a strong record winning six and placing 10 times from just 22 starts, including some eye-catching performances in some New Zealand Cup lead up races last season.
Today Pinseeker is among a field of 11 including last start Methven Hutt Cup winner Here’s Herbie, the in-form Robert and Jenna Dunn trio Bryce’s Meddle, Dance Till Dawn and Dalton Shard, while Renegade for Brendon Hill will be looking to get back to the winners’ circle and will start off the same mark with Pinseeker.
To see the market for the Winter Cup click here
Other highlights on the card today include heats for the Anne Thompson Series for maiden pacers and trotters, with further heats being held on May 4 with the $20,000 finals run on May 18, all at Rangiora.
Favoured in today’s first maiden trot heat are runners drawn one and two – Just Easy for James and Jim Geddes to be driven by James, and Zhutee a Marcoola debutant for trainers Ken Ford and Amanda Tomlinson to be driven by Sheree Tomlinson.
While in the second heat Paddy McDaddy for Robert and Jenna Dunn with the services of Bob Butt will go around a short priced favourite fresh up after competing in some feature 2YO races last year.
Two more heats for the Canterbury Plains Challenge series will also be run, with the $30,000 final to be run at Addington on May 16.
Racing commences today from 11:35am.
