We take a snapshot of some of the harness racing action from the weekend in the Canterbury region.
TIGER’S TIMARU TAMING
He’s getting better, but there’s still a long way to go. That’s the opinion of Jimmy Curtin after exciting three-year-old, Tiger Thompson, made light work of his assignment on Saturday at Timaru – breaking a track record in the process.
“Every time we get him to the races, he shows a bit of improvement in his manners,” Curtin said of the Brad Mowbary trained pacer. “It’s not going to hurt him running around in a few races like this and picking up some money, but most importantly, experience.” Tiger Thompson paced the 2600 metre mobile in 3:12.6 – and flew over his last 800 metres in 56 seconds.
DEXTER’S DEMOLITION DAY
He was expected to dominate, and dominate he did. Dexter Dunn made light work of things on Saturday afternoon at Timaru, winning an imposing six races on the 11 races card. Long time supporter, Cran Dalgety, was the major benefactor of the domination – providing five of the six winners, courtesy of; Runaway Star, Linton Shard, Shineonyoucrazydiamond, Benchmark and Fatima Siad. While Expresso Martini was his xith winner – taking him to 49 wines for the season.
ALTA ORLANDO BACK IN BUSINESS
He was a touted as the best three-year-old of his year – but injury struck him down and we never saw the best. But Alta Orlando showed a glimpse of that on Saturday at Timaru with a strong front-running display to hold on and win comfortably. Hanlded by John Dunn, the big pacer was allowed to balance early before being surged to the lead where he never looked back.
FIRST SUCCESSES APLENTY
There were three very firsts achieved on Sunday after at Motukarara when Gavin Turner and Michael Murcott both produced their first training wins after some hard work to get there ,then in the last race of the day, Ross Cameron won his first race as a driver. Turner produced Rollin Thunder to sit parked and out-tough Prince George while Murcott’s success came courtesy of Supreme Bluce Chip. Cameron produced a confident drive on Bobby T to continue his good form on the grass tracks.
WEEKEND DOUBLE, WELL OVER DUE
They’ve had the odd pretty good one along that way, but there was double the reason to celebrate for Liz Broadhurst and Jack Prouting on the weekend. They enjoyed the maiden trotting success of Wester Bella at Timaru on Saturda before Weststar Sam rocked up on debut at Motukarara on Sunday and gave rivals a pacing lesson – capping off a wonderful weekend for the team. Both were trained by Greg and Nina Hope and driven by Ricky May – the double taking the Hope team back to the top of the national trainers’ premiership – two wins clear of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
BACK ON HIS FAVOURITE TRACK
He’s been that good recently he would have been near impossible for anyone to beat on Sunday at Motukarara, but Young Stranger does love racing on this track. “It’s his favourite track, don’t worry about that,” trainer Trevor Grant said. Allowed to slide from the 1200 metres mark by his driver, Chris Thornley, Young Stranger never looked back, running his rivals into the deck over the final third of the races.
