By Mike Love
While Auckland will host three Group 1s tonight, Addington also has a high quality race night that includes three Uncut Gems races, and a Sires’ Stakes heat.
Race 6, the Garrards Sires’ Stakes Series (Heat 4) features a small but high class field, headlined by the two Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained runners, Chase A Dream ($2.60FF) and We Walk By Faith ($3.60FF).
According to the Purdon Racing website We Walk By Faith’s “work has been good” and from a “handy barrier draw is a top 3 chance” while Chase A Dream “trialled good last week, is in a good place, and a top 2 chance.”
Northern Derby winner Cold Chisel has also ventured south while Nathan Williamson’s brought Dreams Are Free north from his Branxholme base.
A winner of four from nine, the Captaintreacherous colt was fourth in his last start in the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Invercargill last month.
“He finished off well in the Supremacy and did as well as he could have done with the run he had,” says Williamson, “the plan will be to have him at his best next week (for the final) so he will benefit a lot from tonight’s run.”
Williamson also trains and drives Miraculous in race four, the Matt Harrison Construction Mobile Pace (6.34pm). He’s a $2.30 favourite and meets a field that includes Carrera Rapido ($4.20FF), Watermelon Sugar ($6.50FF) and Time And Tide ($5.50).
“He’s a nice horse. Whatever he does this trip away and over his next couple of starts will stand him in good stead for the future. He’s got plenty of ability. He’s raced with merit against some of the nicest in the land.”
The Uncut Gems races start at Race 5 (6.59pm)with the NZB Standardbred Uncut Gems Trotters Classic with impressive last start winner Bet N Win a $1.80 favourite, ahead of Mighty Logan ($5.50) and Eurostyle ($6.50).
Drawn well at two, Wish My Luck will be gunning for his fourth win in just five starts when lines up in the Betavet Uncut Gems Geldings and Entires Classic (7.50pm).
He’s a $9 fourth favourite behind Who’s Delight ($2.80FF), Wag Star ($4FF) and Charlie Brown ($6FF).
Diamond Racing labels Who’s Delight as their top-rater, saying he’s been “working well and will be tough to hold out if he brings his manners” while Charlie Brown had a good “southern campaign and the draw could work out well.”
Telfer-trained stablemates Kahlua Flybye ($2.35FF) and Sweet Diamond ($2.90FF) dominate the market for the Rico Lodge Uncut Gems Mares Classic (8.40pm) after impressive last start wins, with southerner Advance Party third favourite at $5.50 for Williamson.
“She will need things in her favour,” says Williamson, “she’s a good place chance in a good field. We will have to weigh it up and see what happens.”
