With a week to go before harness racings big day at Ashburton next Saturday when the Harness Jewels are held, today was an opportunity for runners to have a look at the track before the big day.
Five workouts were held involving horses who are lining up next Saturday and this is our review of the runners that took our eye at todays workouts.
Salty Robyn
Led early and went through the first half in 61.5 before brushing home in 55.8 and 25.5 to cut the mile out in 1:57.3
Although beaten by half a head he didn't look to be all out and took a long time to pull up.
Ready to rumble next week.
Ardens Choice
Trailed Salty Robyn the whole way but was left a bit flat footed when he sprinted on the corner.
Kept fighting gamely and although beaten two lengths, ran her last quarter out really strongly.
Right on song for next week
Dream About Me
Hard to do justice to her run today.
Sat three back on the inner behind Salty Robyn who shot four lengths clear as they went past the 400 metres.
Flew home late to nab Salty Robyn on the post, making up the four lengths on a 25.5 quarter and did it without driver Tim Williams hardly moving in the cart.
On that run she just wins next week.
Missandei
Showed gate speed to lead early and then sprinted the last 400 metres in 27.6 to win with something in hand.
Continues to improve every time she goes off the place and is quickly closing the gap on her stablemate High Gait.
From gate two with her gait speed,she is a winning chance next Saturday
Gershwin
With Ricky May in the bike he was allowed to settle last early and was still there at the 400 before making ground stylishly on a 27.6 quarter
Ricky didn't pull the removable hood which gave the run even more merit and he looked a trotter with a bit of bottom to him.
Has run 2:00 two and a half months ago so has the ability and from a handy front line draw he could trouble the favourites.
Have Faith In Me
Was a bit fresh today and ran about a bit on the first corner like he can do sometimes.
Angled out on the home corner and just strolled past Isaiah and Hug The Wind with little effort it seemed.
Last quarter off the front was run in 26 which he bettered and he never looked out of second gear.
Hard to see him beaten next week on today's run.
Follow The Stars
Followed Have Faith In Me everywhere but made no ground on him in the straight but still went really well to run second, breaking 26 for his last quarter.
May need something to happen to Have Faith In Me to beat him but the clear danger if there is one to the favourite.
Willow
Settled last in her heat which was the quickest of the day and still there coming off the back straight.
Made ground stylishly on the inner in a 25.8 quarter to be beaten just three lengths so right on song for next week.
Ideal Success
Showed gate speed to lead from out wide and clocked up a 1:54.9 mile in the process and held on gamely from Kept Under Wraps.
Ran his last half in 55.7 and quarter in 25.8 so a smart performance.
Barrier 1 next week gives him options so he looms as a genuine place chance from the draw.
Harnesslink Media
