He’s already grabbed a Group One winner this weekend, but Jonny Cox’s feature race weekend might not be over.
The talented horseman made the most of a pickup drive on classy two-year-old filly Elle Mac on Friday night at Alexandra Park in the Caduceus Club Classic for Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
It was Cox’s first Group One pacing victory having won a Dominion Handicap with the ill-fated Jaccka Justy and his first winning drive at Alexandra Park since 2007 when he drove Washakie to victory while based in the North Island.
Today, at Rangiora, Cox has another strong pickup drive for the All Stars stable in Piccadilly Princess in the Rangiora Classic, giving him the perfect opportunity to complete a unique treble for the harness racing weekend.
Having driven a winner at Forbury on Thursday night and then one at Auckland on Friday, Cox will be shooting for three from three meetings when he gets out on the track with Piccadilly Princess.
The classy mare was an eye-catching sixth in last weekend’s Easter Cup behind Heaven’s Rock after missing away from the stand start. The Bettor’s Delight four-year-old reverts to the mobile today but does have the outside barrier draw to contend with.
That will put the mare’s fate in the hands of Cox who will have to look to get into the race at some stage, especially with noted speedsters Franco Nelson and Field Marshal likely to be handy to the speed from early on in proceedings.
The Rangiora Classic hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the All Stars in the past with Imagine That’s win back in 2005 the last time they tasted success. Purdon won the race as a driver in 2009 when he drove Fake Chance to victory for Stan Moore.
As well as Piccadilly Princess they have Chase The Dream in this year’s edition with Sam Ottley doing the driving. Classie Brigade, who was also very good in the Easter Cup, will give Nigel McGrath a chance at big race success as Blair Orange looks for his third win in the race having won with Pure Power (2011) and Belkmyster (2015).
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: War Spirit, Red Hot Poker, Gin Rummy, Native’s Lasting Love
Race 2: Patanjali, Honour The Bet, Bubble Gum, Playingintheshadows
Race 3: Ohoka Jimmy, Rock N Roll Delight, Omar Sharif, Sails
Race 4: Donegal Carrickfin, Celestial Arden, Shillelagh, Christopher Banner
Race 5: Whittaker, Mongolian Hero, Shineonyourcrazydiamond, Franco Hampton
Race 6: Sexy Rexy, Daiquiri, Foreverman, Galleon’s Royale
Race 7: Franco Nelson, Piccadilly Princess, Classie Brigade, Chase The Dream
Race 8: A G’s White Socks, Forgotten Highway, Sparkling Delight, Torrid Bromac
Race 9: Lavros Jack, Belle’s Son, Royal Shine, Destiny Jones
Race 10: Sacred Angel, Debnita Rose, Sweet Mary, Classie Margaret
Best Bet: Whittaker (Race 5)
Value: Sexy Rexy (Race 6)
