Andre Poutama left Auckland by road early yesterday afternoon bound for Palmerston North with what he thought were his two best winning chances at Manawatu Raceway today (Tuesday).
The 24-year-old has five drives at the seven-race meeting but said he could have had a full-book had it not been for a miscommunication.
Poutama and two other drivers couldn’t drive in the last two races because their flight is scheduled to leave at 6.45pm. The programme ssaid the meetin started at 3.12pm but instead the first race kicks off at 4.08pm.
The last two races are at 6.38pm and 7.10pm.
With air tickets cancelled and re-booked thoughts of the last two races were Poutama the last thing on Poutama’s mind as he embarked on his 500km journey south to his home town with his mate Jack MacKinnon’s R37-rated trotter Brookside Colt and part-time trainer Stewart Ashworth’s R40 rated pacer Luna Da Miel.
“I think they both can win. I can’t separate them. They are my best two drives. I’d like to win for Jack because he’s a good horseman, and the same applies to Stewart.
“His horse went real well down here earlier in the month and it would be nice to see him get a winner because he’s a top bloke and deserves another one,” Poutama said.
Luna Da Miel (Spanish for ‘honeymoon’) could break a three year-three month winning drought for Ashworth.
His last winner was at Alexandra Park on August 29, 2014 when Zac Butcher got Machinegun Kelly home for Ashworth.
Three-years-and-four months earlier (April 17, 2011) Ashworth nailed his first career win when Nicole Molander drove Mattusie to victory at New Plymouth.
Career win number three looks ominous today.
Ashworth, a true-blue Cantabrian is these days ‘Head of Grounds’ at Alexandra Park and was too busy at this time of year preparing ‘The Park’ for the Auckland Cup Carnival to take his 5-year-old McArdle mare south.
Poutama was delighted she finally got a good draw.
“Her last two starts at Manawatu earlier in the month saw her parked out when both Nicky (Chilcott) and I drove her. She drew six both days. She should go close from the nice draw. She’s been searching for a draw like that,” Poutama said.
Luna Da Miel will start from the ace draw in the third event – the $6,000 Connie Stewart Baileys Maiden.
The 5-year-old McArdle mare will be having her third start on the track after her two previous placings. They both came on November 3 and 5 and were over this afternoon’s 2500m mobile.
Chilcott got within one-and-a-quarter lengths of $1.70 favourite Nerve Of Steel on the second day.
“She’s a good Manawatu horse who has been seeking a good draw. She just felt like she was ready to win one when I drove her and Stu will have her spot on for this,” Poutama said.
“Brookside Colt is having his first start on the track but he’s good from a stand and his form is improving. From 30m behind I think he’s also a winning chance,” he added.
Poutama will also drive the Valmara (8) in race two, Prime Lustre (9) in race four, and Tenacious Bromac in race five (3).
He thought the former two could place if they could overcome their tough draws while the latter he rated an each-way prospect.
“He (Tenacious Bromac) should make his presence felt from the draw. This is just his second run back this campaign (six month spell), and I liked the way he rounded his race off, even though he did finish sixth,” Poutama said.
Duane Ranger
