By Josh Smith – Harness News Desk
Ranger Bomb has returned to racing with a bang and trainer Brendon Hill is hoping he can continue his impressive run of form when he contests the IRT ‘Worldwide Horse Airfreight’ Mobile Pace (1980m) at Addington Raceway on Friday.
The three-year-old gelding won first-up late last month before he was gallant in defeat when runner-up behind Team Kiwi at the Christchurch track last week.
Hill was so pleased with the way the son of Sportswriter had pulled up after last week’s run that he decided to back him up on Friday.
“I thought his run last week was gallant and his win was really good, but I thought last week was probably even better,” Hill said.
“I have backed him up from last week because I am really happy with him.
“He’s just a bit stronger and he is racing really well. He has drawn (1) really well again, which he did in his last two runs and he has been super.”
While Hill has plenty of respect for his race rivals, he has taken plenty of confidence from Ranger Bomb’s last two runs and he is expecting another good showing on Friday.
“There is a bit of gate speed outside us and they are nice horses too, but he has been racing well and if he can back-up from last start he is going to be right in it,” Hill said.
The Swannanoa horseman will also have a trio of runners at Addington’s Sunday meeting, including Oaxacan Dream, Donegal Gilbert, and Fancy.
Oaxacan Dream will be out to try and secure her maiden victory in the Commodore Airport Hotel Mobile Pace (2600m).
It will be the third start for the three-year-old filly and Hill expects her to perform well after pleasing with her first-up unplaced run over 1980m last week.
“She went really good last start,” he said. “She was wide the whole race and got in late.
“Up the straight she battled away all right. She is quite fit and I don’t think the 2600m will worry her on Sunday. She is a good chance with another nice draw (3).”
Stablemate Donegal Gilbert has the ace draw in the Vero Insurance Mobile Pace (2600m) and Hill said he is in a similar situation to Oaxacan Dream.
“He went pretty good last start (when finishing eighth over 1980m),” Hill said. “He did a bit of work early and he stuck on all right.
“He is a funny pacing horse, but he is fit and I don’t think the 2600m will worry him either. I am pretty happy with him.”
Meanwhile, Hill has been pleased with the way Fancy has been working in the lead up to the Teltrac Communications Mobile Pace (2600m).
The daughter of Bettor’s Delight has drawn the outside of the second row, however, Hill believes she can figure in the finish on Sunday.
“Fancy has drawn the worst of all of them, but she is really fit and she will get into the race at some stage if Ricky (May, driver) decides to get around them. She is working really nice at the moment, so I expect her to go well.” – Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
