Pacer wins but trotter disappoints

Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson experienced the ups and downs that harness racing can dish up when his two runners performed at different ends of the spectrum today at the Gore Harness Racing meeting.

While Rise Up N Dance (Art Major) won in the hands of junior driver Ollie Kite, Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) also with Kite on-board, finished only fifth in the main trot of the afternoon.

“She went terrible and was very disappointing. She’s pulled up bright, so I’m not sure (what’s wrong), it’s a real head scratcher with her. She hasn’t raced well since that run at Oamaru in the wet. Last year we had aspirations of going to the Dominion Handicap. We’ll do some bloods and try and do something to switch her on. She didn’t look sharp at any stage. We’ll go back to the drawing board and see,” a disappointed Williamson said of Hidden Talent’s run.

Favourite Rise Up N Dance on the other hand, came out and got punters home in his 1700 metre mobile.

After the early rush from the mobile with Tua Lipa and then Rambin Rover leading, Kite took Rise Up N Dance off the running line to have his turn in front.

“I got crossed coming out of the gate. I managed to get him off and he felt pretty strong to the line,” Kite said.

Dreamalittledream which sat parked for most of the trip fought gamely to be half a length away in second.

“It stuck to it’s guns and gave me a wee fright, but my horse stuck on well.”

RISE UP N DANCE REPLAY

Williamson hopes the four year old pacer can derive benefit from the run.

“He just wasn’t as sharp and impressive as I thought he could be. He’s raced at a higher level before and has been pretty competitive.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink