By Jonny Turner
Corravally Star will be out to turn the tables on Homebush Lad when they go head-to-head again in the Akaroa Cup at Motukarara on Saturday.
The pair finished one-two in the Geraldine Cup with Homebush Lad outsprinting his rival to score.
The two pacers start on level marks behind the 20m tapes on Saturday, after Homebush Lad got a head-start on Corravally Star at Orari.
Corravally Star somewhat negated that advantage by making an electric beginning in his second placing, which trainer Regan Todd would love to see from him again.
“The other horse beat us fair and square, but I was happy with his run,” Todd said.
“He didn’t go that great on the Tuesday of Cup Week but he went a good race on the Friday.”
“He seems to have taken improvement from it.”
“I think the start of the race will be important for him.”
“Off 20m in a big field, if he gets too far back it will make it hard.”
“If he can begin like he did last week it will be a big help.”
Todd takes four horses to Motukarara on Saturday including Skittle Bomb who steps out in race 10.
After taking on strong fields in his first two starts this time in, the pacer impressed when rushing home for third in his last outing at Timaru.
“He came out with a hiss and a roar but he has had to learn his trade.”
“It is good to win your first start but it means you jump up in grade without getting that ringcraft.”
“We might have been a bit ambitious going to Cup Week but because he wasn’t [mentally] ready for it.”
“I was happy with his run at Timaru and he should be a good chance again.”
Todd starts Magic Dash in race 11 on the back of a third last month.
The three-year-old looks a big winning threat going by his form.
“I was quite happy with his last start.”
“He’s jumped up and grade and handled it pretty well.”
“Manners are going to be the key, if he can trot all of the way he should go a pretty good race.”
Bailey’s Pitch also goes around in the Todd colours, in race 1.
The pacer got too far back in his last outing at Addington following a good fresh up second.
“He is a handy horse and he is going to pick up a few wins.”
“He didn’t get the rub of the green in his last start, hopefully he gets a bit more luck this week.”
Craig Thornley drives Bailey’s Pitch with Nathan Williamson to drive Skittle Bomb, Blair Orange to drive Magic Dash and Sheree Tomlinson to drive Corravally Star.
