One of the highlights of the harness racing year for a lot of the people in the industry in Canterbury and on the West Coast of the South Island is the two day Christmas meeting at Paterson Park in Westport.

There is something special about the timing, the locality and the locals that make the annual two day meeting one that is not to missed.

Two Canterbury harness racing identities that rarely miss a Christmas meeting at Westport are Margo Nyhan and Peter Davis.

This year will be no exception with the Weedons based couple taking a team of eight over the alps and Peter is confident that most are in the right form to snare some prize money over the two days with a bit of luck.

We thought we would get Peter's views on all the couple's runners on day one.

Race 1 – Game Changer

" He trialed up real nice at the workouts at Ashburton recently, finishing off with a quick half and quarter when winning his heat."

" He has good manners and a good draw so he is a big chance to get some of it"

Race 4  – The Zigmeister and Sarah Palin

"The Zigmeister has been going really well lately and from his good draw I give him a good chance to get some of it."

"He ran 3:22 for 2600 metres at Addington the other night so if he brings that form to Westport they will know he is there."

"Sarah Palin just never goes a bad race and has been in really good touch lately."

"She has won two on the track already and is in the right form to make it three."

Race 5  –  Lyin Eyes

She has only had the one run back from twelve months out and that was when she blew out at Oamaru but she went near enough all the same.

Draw makes it very hard here but one to follow over the circuit as she will show sharp improvement with racing.

Race 6  –  Midnight Flyer

"This horse has had no luck to date on raceday and I am very happy with his work heading over there."

"A horse that likes to race on the speed so the good draw is a big bonus."

"I Think Midnight Flyer is our best winning chance on the first day."

Race 8  –  Canndew

"Racing  a wee bit below his best but we thought the circuit would suit him."

"Good standing start horse so needed to draw the front line to be a chance."

"Just had a dropback so not out of it on day two or at Reefton with a good draw."

Race 9  –  Dag And Washington

"First two starts back this season have been from a stand and gets a mobile which she badly needs."

"The draw of one and back to a track she likes gives her a chance of getting some of it at big odds."

Race 10  –  Sonnetsson

"Form looks a bit dismal but has been racing in some strong fields"

" Wasn't far away last start at Addington and gets a dropback after the first day so will be a good chance on the second day." 

Margo and Peter's horses are often going just as good if not better by the time the third day of the circuit rolls around at Reefton so it often pays to follow them right through the three meetings.

Harnesslink Media