Even with no trials or workouts expect Bulls trainer Doug Gale to make his presence felt at the first meeting of theseason at Manawatu Raceway today (Tuesday).
There’s seldom a Manawatu Harness Racing Club meeting go by that Gale doesn’t win at least one race – more so now that the former Helensville trainer has been based in the Central Districts for more than two years.
“I’ve got six in tomorrow and it’s hard to get a line on them first-up at Palmerston North because we don’t have workouts or trials down here.
“I think Glendene (race three) would be my best chance. They will all need a race or two under their belts before I could be a bit more certain, but in saying that Harry H (race seven) did surprise me when he won at Cambridge last start (September 22),” Gale said.
Gale achieved 609 wins while based in Auckland and in 2014 he was inducted into the New Zealand Trotting Hall-Of-Fame. He trained Kate’s First to win the 1997 Auckland Cup and has now recorded 651 career wins and netted just over $6 million in stakes.
Gale is based at Scott’s Ferry Beach, 25km south-west of Bulls
Here's what he had to say about his half dozen runners atthe seven-race Manawatu meeting:
Race 2: Song Of Victory (4) – “She has improved this season. She’s an 8-year-old who has only had three lifetimestarts (last season). We didn’t race her until she was seven because she needed time. She definitely has a win in her but whether it comes first-up is another story. She was well beaten last season and will be much better and stronger for that experience.”
Race 3: Glendene (3) – “This is his first start back since he ran two placings on the track in May. He’s six now and towards the end of last season he was really starting to turn his form around. He has learnt heaps and I like him on Tuesday. I reckon he’s got another couple of wins in him. He’s my best winning chance.”
Race 5: P Tomado (10) – “This is also his first run back since May and even though he usually races well fresh the draw is going to make it tough for him. I expect a good showing from him in this race. He’s placed twice fresh and won twice on the track.”
Race 6: Brainstormer (4) and Franco Lennox (7) – “These two geldings both train together and have been working well.With no trials it’s quite hard to know exactly where they sit but they are both capable of going close. If I had to single one out I would say that Brainstormer has the better fresh-up record.”
Race 7: Harry H (5) – “I didn’t expect that Cambridge win last start. That was a nice drive by Peter (Ferguson). I thought he might have taken a few starts to cope with the grade rise. I’m hoping he learns to race in this grade. If he does that will put him in good stead for later on. He is capable of getting of some of it again, simply because he can be a surprise packet at times.”
Duane Ranger
