The well travelled New Zealand bred mare Rakero Blaze (Bettors Delight) gave a stylish front running harness racing display when she won the Listed Bay Johnny trotters handicap at Menangle on Saturday evening.

Driven by Will Rixon for trainer Luke McCarthy, Rakero Blaze who can do plenty wrong stepped cleanly from the 10 metre mark to immediately challenge for the lead.

The form horse of the moment Pesco Pollo who started a short priced favourite went up to challenge but when unsuccessful,  driver Robert Morris dropped back onto the fence. However he come off the rails again to race outside the leader.

RAKERO BLAZE JAN 31 REPLAY

Grand campaigner Constantinople the lone backmarker of 20 metres was given time to catch the field and then he was able to secure a one out and one back trail following Pesco Pollo.

Rakero Blaze ran a 27.7 seconds third quarter to give Pesco Pollo the drop. Constantinople was still standing the leader a tidy start on straightening but he knuckled down to his task and was gathering in Rakero Blaze but the post was too close.

Rakero Blaze held on to win by just under three metres with Speedy Lover in third place. The torrid run clearly told on Pesco Pollo and he finished at the rear of the field.

Rakero Blaze is raced by prominent owner Norm Jenkin. She’s had a varied career going to Andy Gath when she arrived in Australia. She then had a successful stint with leading South Australian trainer Ryan Hryhorec winning both the Kapunda and Port Pirie Cups early last year.

Now in Luke McCarthy’s stables, Rakero Blaze is now showing a lot more consistency in her races and she looks well placed in this type of company.

Constantinople showed great heart in finishing second and he should pick up a race soon.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink