Tonight’s meeting is Cambridge Raceway’s first of the New Year and Pukekohe trainer Steven Reid has three runners engaged who have exhibited potential.
“All three are nice horses and whatever they do tomorrow, all will improve on” says Reid.
First starter Predator, driven by Zachary Butcher, and Gimmesomelovin, driven by Matthew White, line up in Race 2, The Summer of Racing 7-29th Jan @CR Mobile Pace.
“Gimmesomelovin was great first up and his work has really improved since his workout prior to Christmas” says Reid “Predator has shown a lot of promise but has taken some time, with the right run I’d expect both could feature in a top three finish.”
Gimmesomelovin ran 4th at his first start back in October at Cambridge when only 1.2 lengths from the winner Medina Magic and has since been freshened. Meanwhile Predator has won several educational workouts.
Reid’s final runner for the evening is another first starter, Shakealeg, a three year old gelding by Downbytheseaside. Also driven by Matthew White, he starts in Race 5, the Gavelhouse.com Mobile Pace. He too has won at the workouts but starts this race fresh having last been seen at workouts in October.
“He shows promise, but needed time and had a couple of hiccups along the way” says Reid “of the three horses he’s the least forward but his work has been great and from the draw, if he gets an economical trip, he will go a good race.”
“They are all horses I’m looking forward to racing in the coming months” says Reid.
Alongside Reid’s horses, White also has three other drives who look to be each way chances.
His first drive is in Race 2, where he partners Hughie Wallace in the Off The Track Food and Bev Handicap Trot.
“He’s always an each way chance in this sort of field, he’s as honest as they come and I expect he’ll go a good race again tonight” says White.
Winemeup, trained and driven by White, starts in Race 6, the NZB Airfreight Mobile Pace. The mare galloped at her first start in the North but looked to be travelling well prior to going off stride.
“I’ve made some minor gear changes to her” says White “She has shown a bit of speed when saved for one run in her races down South and the small field will be of benefit to her.”
White’s final drive is on the Brian and Gareth Hughes trained Magnum Star who was successful on debut at Cambridge on the 21st December.
“He’s a nice wee horse and let down really well when he won at his first start” says White “It’s a step up tonight for him with some seasoned and in form horses in the race but I think he’ll go well again.”
The twilight racing gets underway with Race 1 at 3:03pm.