By Mike Love
Canterbury junior driver Riley Harrison will be looking to continue her recent run of form today in the sulky at the Akaroa meeting held at Banks Peninsula.
Harrison has driven 17 winners this season – half of which have come to her in the past two months – as well as driving her first Group 1 placing last night at Addington raceway when Frazzled ran second in the Ace Of Hearts.
“It’s been really good, getting on ones for the half points then being lucky enough to be kept on some of them. So it’s working out great,” said Harrison.
Harrison has six drives today, most of which look to be very solid each way chances.
Harrison will link up with the Graeme Telfer trained Szybka Lane ($26.00FF) who has put together some lifetime best performances recently winning three of her last four outings. Although the eight year old Changeover mare will be up against it given the class rise, she has certainly deserved her spot in the $20,000 Cabin 2U Akaroa Cup.
“She always tries very hard. It is a big step up in grade. She has good manners, and with the way she’s been racing I’m hoping she’ll be a top four chance with a bit of luck.”
Prior to the Cup Harrison will reunite with the Trent Yesberg trained Gatecrasher ($6.50FF) in Race 8, The Turk McPherson Stag Do Junior Drivers mobile pace.
Gatecrasher and Harrison put a hat trick of wins together before failing on Cup Day at Addington where things didn’t really pan out, but Harrison is hopeful the four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding will bounce back to form today.
“Trent is happy with him. We just have to put a line through Cup Day. Prior to that he was very good. He’s going in a bit fresher today, so it’s looking positive.”
The Bloss ($7.00FF) is another that Harrison has tasted success with recently winning their last start together at Rangiora 10 days ago.
“Hopefully we step away good. She does like to lead and bowl along.”
The Bloss and Harrison have drawn one in the Cavalier Trotting Products Trot.
“I’m sure she will go another good race. Especially from the stand and the conditions of the race.”
Harrison’s other drives are Midsummer Dreaming ($101FF) in Race 2, Hanoi Franco ($15.00FF) in Race 6, and Darby ($31.00FF) in Race 11.
Race 1 is set to go this morning at 11:53am.
