By Jonny Turner
Rangiora trainer Andrew Stuart has four runners at Addington on Sunday that will be out to continue his brilliant run of recent form.
Stuart has scored a win with his small team in three of the four wins since harness racing resumed after lockdown with Crackabrie, Galleons Connoisseur and Ohoka Matty.
Stuart will be in a unique position when Galleons Connoisseur seeks another victory in race 12.
The 5yr-old will have to beat out two other horses the trainer also has a share in.
Stuart races both the Ken Barron trained Plutonium and the Regan Todd trained Hells Shadow.
Galleons Connoisseur goes in to the race in winning form after cleaning up a rating 40-45 feild at Addington last weekend.
Stuart is hoping driver Ricky May can get his colours in to the winner’s circle.
“It is a jump in class, he probably beat an average maiden field last time,” the trainer said.
“But, he is definitely going well and he tries hard.”
“He might just lack a bit of high speed, but he has the man on to get a bit of luck – Ricky May.”
Galleons Connoisseur opened the roughest of Stuart’s trio in fixed odds betting at $21.
Plutonium was rated the $4.60 equal favourite with Bossmaro, ahead of Hells Shadow ($8.50).
Guido Da Sienna looks the horse to beat when he starts from Stuart’s barn in race 11.
The 4yr-old ran home strongly for second behind Hidden Delight at Addington, last weekend.
Guido Da Sienna may need luck from barrier 1 on the second row of the mobile, but Stuart has full confidence in driver Blair Orange finding a run for his horse.
“Having Blair on makes a difference, he is a freak.”
“On his run last week he should be hard to beat.”
Guido Da Sienna was rated the $3.30 fixed odds win favourite for race 11 on market opening.
It’s A Shawthing was a beaten favourite after galloping early then failing to run on at Addington three weeks ago following an eye catching trial run.
The 5yr-old has been freshened and is ready to show his best if he can bring his manners on Sunday.
“He has definitely got the ability, he just hasn’t put it all together.”
“He missed away in that trial, so that might have flattened him a little bit.”
“But he seems all good now.”
It’s A Shawthing opened at a $10 price to win race 2, behind the $3.50 favourite, For Today.
Cheddar Made Beta failed to fire in his first run since lockdown at Addington a fortnight ago.
Though the 5yr-old may struggle to beat the favourite Tom Martin, Stuart expects an improved effort.
“He trialled well before his first race back.”
“He was a bit disappointing there, but then you look at the form out of the race with Team Kiwi and Ohoka Matty winning.”
“He also might have needed that race a bit, he had been out for a while.”
“He is definitely a place chance, but I don’t think he can beat Tom Martin.”
Ohoka Matty started the weekend off well for the Stuart stable.
The 7yr-old reeled off a sizzling 55.4sec last 800m to win on Friday night.
