A big Auckland meeting, featuring two $100,000 Group 1s, will highlight harness racing action this week.
Manawatu will kick start the week with eight races today (Tuesday) starting at 4.21pm with Oamaru tomorrow and then Winton’s meeting on Thursday.
Friday Night Lights will feature an Auckland-Addington double-header.
The $100,000 Group 1 TAB Queen of Diamonds Handicap Trot and the Queen of Hearts Pace for the Fillies and Mares will be the night’s two features, along with the $60,000 Group 2 Franklin Cup and the latest Northern Metro Pacers and Trotters heats ahead of their $35,000 finals on December 31 .
Addington will host the East West Fencing Summer Cup while the Rangiora Summer Cup will be raced on the grass on Sunday.
Poutama with good chances today at Manawatu
By Brigette Solomon
Pukekohe based driver Andre Poutama heads South to Manawatu Raceway today with a full book of drives and confident he has at least two winning chances.
Of his eight drives, seven are for local trainer (and uncle) Stephen Doody whose in-form team is always one to watch out for on their home track.
“It’s not a bad book of drives” says Poutama “they’ve all been racing well and finishing thereabouts and there are a couple that I think are capable of winning tonight with the right trip.”
Poutama’s first drive is on the locally trained Mr Monty in the Hawera Harness Racing Jan 31/Feb 2nd Handicap Trot over 2500 metres. The Majestic Son gelding has finished fourth and second in his prior two starts.
“His last couple of runs have been ok and he’s gotten around safely, but if he can finish off like we know he can, he’ll be more than capable of finishing in the placings, ” says Poutama, “It’ll be a matter of seeing if we get the best version of him tonight.”
In the maiden events, Races 2 and 3, Poutama is confident about both Million Dollar Chic (R2) and Jetasi (R3).
“Million Dollar Chic is due a win and has run three seconds in her last three starts, she’s racing consistently well” says Poutama “I think she’s capable of winning tonight.”
The Bettor’s Delight filly was narrowly beaten by 0.8 lengths here on November 21 and was still taking ground off the winner Bigger The Bettor when crossing the line. In just a six horse field, she starts tonight’s race from barrier two.
Meanwhile Jetasi starts the Summer Grass Track Racing @ Hawera Mobile Pace from barrier six after placings from just six starts.
“She’s been unlucky in her last three runs being held up or not quite getting the best trip,” says Poutama, “she’s been going good and working well and she could pick one up very soon.”
“My parents actually have a share in her too, so it would be great to get a win on her for them while she is still eligible for the two-year-old bonus as well.”
In Race 5, the Hawera Harness Racing is Good To Go Are You? Mobile Pace over 2000 metres, Poutama drives Blue Chip Lou, who he considers a good value runner tonight. The three-year-old filly finished second in her last start with a bold finish when beaten by talented stable mate Doo You Want Me.
“She went really good last start and has been really consistent lately,” says Poutama, “It’s taken her some time, but she finally seems to have put it all together and knows her job, so I think she’ll give a good performance tonight.”
In Race 7, the Grass Track Racing @ Hawera Is the Only Way Handicap Trot, Poutama partners Johnny Who, off 35 metres. The What The Hill gelding is another of Doody’s team who have been racing consistently well and heads into tonight’s race off the back of second placing at Cambridge in the Thames Trotters Country Cup three weeks ago.
“He went really good last start at Cambridge,” says Poutama, “he’s one of the better ones in this field alongside Manchester In Time, and I think he’ll be thereabouts again tonight.”
“I think Johnny Who and Jetasi are probably my top picks of the night.”
Poutama’s other drives of the evening are Becker – R4, Jahi – R6, and Bailey’s Pitch – R8.
Racing gets underway tonight with Race one at 4.21pm
