Brent White travels with a team of six from Temuka for Gore on Sunday and can look forward to a profitable day.
His runner in the first, the Zilco/Carpet Plus Willy's Flooring Trot, is Trouble Giero. After perfect matinee form for trainer Michael Heenan, also his co-breeder and then co-owner, Trouble Giero changed hands.
He was presented by White at Washdyke last Sunday for his first start, but from barrier two, failed to trot away. The four year old settled in time to avoid penalty though, gradually progressed to be in a challenging position when it mattered, and had the audacity to sprint home and finish within a length of the winner.
White asked for Trouble Giero to be placed on the unruly for Gore and expects a better result.
“He's a nice horse, it was a big run at Timaru,” he said.
Dark Ops kicks off a new campaign in the fifth, the Jaccka Lodge Handicap, and faces a field of smart trotters. She hasn't raced since contesting a two-horse Breeders Crown fillies heat at Cambridge in July in which she broke soon after the start and was on her own thereafter.
In her only public outings since, the CR Commando mare has taken part in workouts at Orari, on 1 October, and Mount Hutt a week later.
“She was second to Harriet of Mot at Methven, the driver was pleased, said she felt good,” White explained, “the 2700 metres first up is the worry.”
Race seven, the Southern Vegetation Control Mobile has attracted ten runners and not only are three of them prepared by White, they have drawn the first three marbles.
Cullens Lady has the ace, which should suit her racing pattern, although she hasn't raced for more than a month. That was in a claimers at Addington and after racing handy the seven year old faded out.
“Her blood was out last time, she's had a workout at Methven since then but this is up in grade,” said White.
Former southern-based six year old Run To Hide, whose three starts at Gore have resulted in two wins and a second, has the two draw. He has had four starts for White and two back was a winner at Rangiora. At Timaru last week Run To Hide was in the last two or three throughout and although he didn't improve any places in the straight, closed well to get to about two lengths of the winner.
“He's best driven for one run, he came home quick at Timaru,” said White.
Pay Me Art has marble three and will appreciate that, having drawn second widest of the 10 metre markers in a handicap at Addington last week. A mid-race move from the back took him to the parked position but the effort told in the straight. Nathan Williamson takes the reins this week and White feels he is a big chance.
“They're all chances,” he added.
White's good fortune with draws continues in the eighth, the Gore Windscreen and Glass Mobile. Ultimate Fella has drawn one from behind the arm and gets the chance to prove his last-home at Addington a week ago all wrong. That was in a stand-start Alabar Super Series contest, the Changeover four year old was fractious at the start, didn't go away with them and never threatened afterwards. His three starts prior brought two wins and a fourth in mobile start races.
“He's bright and working good, he's worthy of being first pick,” White said.
Graeme Anderson has three in at Gore and is another trainer worth following. Elusive Flight has a $7500 claiming price in the SBS Claimers, third on the card. The Elsu gelding clocked 2:42.7 when second in a claimers at Invercargill last month.
Sovereign Banner is a star in the making and will make it tough for the White trio in the seventh while three year old Eamon Maguire looks to have a great chance of keeping his unbeaten record intact in race nine, the Bromac Lodge / Falls Bistro Mobile.
Rory McIlwrick drives the Anderson runners while Stephen McNally is on four of the six White candidates. The two drivers look likely to dominate the driver's challenge.
Mac Henry
