It’s a rare harness racing triple header around the country today, with meetings at Wyndham, Rangiora and then Manawatu. Sam Thornley has some good each way changes in Canterbury as does Zachary Butcher at Manawatu, and racing journalist Jonny Turner has his Five to Follow at Wyndham.
Sam Thornley rates his chances at Rangiora
By Mike Love
Canterbury junior reinsman Sam Thornley heads to Rangiora today with a solid book of drives, including some decent each way chances.
“There are a few that have better chances than others, but in saying that they will all have their chance,” said Sam Thornley.
Mode ($2.80FF) will be looking to go back-to-back in Race 4, the NCT Remembers Davey Rowe Trot over 2600m. The four-year-old Trixton mare won well last time out at Banks Peninsula after trotting boldly the entire trip at her third start for leading trainer Michael House.
“She trotted really well last time, and I spoke to Michael earlier this week and the reports are that she’s trained on really well. The small field should help, so I expect her to go close,” said Thornley.
Steph’s Boy ($6.00FF) for trainer Graham Court looks well placed to run a race at good each way value for Thornley in Race 5, The Anglers Arms Mobile Pace over 2600m. Bringing up start number 100, the seven-year-old Johny Rock gelding may find the company slightly easier than the town hall company he’s been racing.
“It should be a slight drop back in class. He’s been racing well at Addington, so I expect him to go a good race,” said Thornley.
Thornley says his best drive comes in race six The Kaikanui Tavern (Junior Drivers) pace over 2000m with Quicker Than Quick ($4.50FF) again for trainer Graham Court. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding broke maidens two starts ago at Rangiora on the grass surface, and almost went two in a row at Banks Peninsula. Back on the grit today however does not give Thornley any qualms about their chances.
“He went really good last time. He’s usually a quick beginner from the stand, we hopefully we can get a handy position and be hard to beat,” said Thornley.
Thornley will reunite with Mr Wingman ($18.00FF) in Race 7, the Congrats 50 Years Married Greg & Annette Wright Mobile Pace over 2000m for trainer Brent Borcoskie.
“I think he will be good value. We follow out one of John’s (Dunn) so we should get an economical trip and be a good top four chance,” said Thornley.
Thornley’s other drives are Hey Tonight ($31.00FF) in Race 8, Lindy’s Rocket ($16.00FF) in race nine and Allbetsroff ($51.00FF) in Race 10.
Race one gets underway at 12:14pm.
Enzo and Le Major among Butcher’s better drives at Manawatu
By Brigette Solomon
Pukekohe-based trainer and driver Zachary Butcher heads south to Manawatu today in the hopes of securing a maiden win with his runner Enzo.
Enzo starts today in the Happy Birthday Rhys Baker Mobile Pace over 2000 metres and starts the event from barrier one.
The three-year-old by Terror To Love has had just two starts to date, and after breaking at his first start at Alexandra Park, he ran a solid second placing at Cambridge Raceway on Tuesday after sitting parked over the final 1200 metres of the race.
“He went well on Tuesday, and he’s got a good draw today” says Butcher “So long as he does everything right he should be hard to beat.”
Butcher also has a further five drives today, including the Arna Donnelly trained Le Major in the City Of Palmerston North Festival Cup Mobile Pace.
While Le Major has been unplaced in his last two starts at Alexandra Park, Butcher considers the gelding one of his best chances of the day.
“Despite the result he actually went a good race at Auckland last start after being left parked against some nice horses,” says Butcher, “he’s drawn well enough (5) and it’s a small field and I think it will be right up his alley, it’s his race to lose today.”
The Donnelly stable has two other runners contesting the City Of Palmerston North Cup today with Joes Rock, driven by Kate Coppins, and Final Change who is driven by in form junior driver Crystal Hackett. The Bettor’s Delight gelding was a back to back winner at Manawatu a fortnight ago securing comfortable victories over the same 2000 metre trip.
Butcher’s other drives today include Trippy Tyron – Race 1, The Night Fox – Race 3, Narobi – Race 6, and Play The Ace – Race 7.
Racing gets underway today at 4.50pm with the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup at 6:07pm.
Racing journalist Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Wyndham
Captain Commodore – Race 8
There has just been something about the way this three-year-old has gone about his work in his two recent wins. Captain Commodore takes on another heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes after dealing to rivals in his previous trip south. He’s a big-striding, powerful unit who looks as tough as he is fast. Though barrier 7 doesn’t sound great, Captain Commodore has crucially drawn inside his main rival in Five Crowns. If he pushes forward there would be few that would be game enough to park Captain Commodore. It all adds up to the three-year-old looking pretty tough to beat.
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Practical Magic – Race 6
I am losing count of the times I have singled out this trotting mare in this column as a horse to follow. While she’s never been out of the money each time, her winning strike rate hasn’t been too flash. Perhaps for the sake of her connections, I shouldn’t yet again suggest how well-placed she looks on Sunday. But unfortunately for them, it can’t be denied. A false start and a wet grass track are two valid excuses which mean a line can be put straight through her last start eighth at Oamaru. Expect Practical Magic to be on the speed and to take plenty of catching at Wyndham. Let’s just hope she can prove that it has not been this column that has been holding her back.
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Secret Agent Man – Race 11
The wait is probably going to be worth it for harness racing fans looking for one of the best bets on Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day. Secret Agent Man heads to Wyndham’s big day on the back of an outstanding second at Addington behind a classy customer in Bazooka. Bazooka would start a red-hot favourite in race 11 on Sunday. From a better draw and after trialling well, Rock Or Bust is clearly the hardest horse for Secret Agent Man to beat. But I think Secret Agent Man can get the job done and his $2.10 opening win price looks more than fair.
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On The Wing – Race 5
His recent form is ordinary and for a horse that is usually well-supported, punters can be forgiven for losing a little faith in On The Wing. But those who have kept the faith can be rewarded on Sunday. The four-year-old takes a reasonably big step back in class from his recent starts, down into a suitable grade. He gets barrier 1 and he gets Blair Orange in the sulky. It all adds up to On The Wing getting the perfect chance to turn around his recent form and put a win on the board.
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Special Occasion – Race 7
It might seem a little silly to be tipping out a $1.30 favourite. But it must be said that Special Occasion looks a cut above his opposition. The feeling I get from speaking with trainer Nathan Purdon is that this two-year-old is destined for top-tier racing. He should be winning on Sunday if that’s the case. With just five rivals to get past, that $1.30 price is probably pretty fair. Special Occasion is definitely the multi-maker of Macca Lodge Kindergarten Stakes Day.
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