Southerners well represented at Addington

While the focus will be on some of the big name stables and higher profile horses at tonight’s Premier meeting at Addington, Southern trained horses will be well represented.

Oamaru horseman Matty Williamson is taking four runners north; Axel Rose (En Solitaire), Tactical Bid (Tactical Landing), Oricorio (Father Patrick) and Seeking Clarity (Ultimate Sniper).

Both Axel Rose and Tactical Bid will start in the Betavet Prepare – For Peak Performance Handicap Trot.

Axel Rose who broke at his last start, will begin off the 10 metre mark and will be handled by his trainer.

“It was just the greenest. He’s still learning the game. Hopefully he’ll be alright tonight. He’s training well and is a good enough horse to compete. He’s my best chance,” Matty said.

Tactical Bid has won both his starts for Williamson and faces a 25 metre handicap. He’ll be handled by Matty’s brother Nathan.

“He’s going really well. The 25 metre handicap is against him. He’s a nice big horse with a big motor so if he can get a drag into it he won’t be too far away.”

Oricorio debuts in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million for Two Year Old Trotters.

“She’s a bit hit and miss with her manners but I’m happy with the way she’s going at the moment trotting wise. I think she’ll be a nice horse in time. She’ll be an outside place chance.”

Talented three year old filly Seeking Clarity starts in the Woodlands Stud ‘Hilarious Guest’ Fillies Classic and draws the outside of the second row in a capacity field.

“I’m really happy with her but it’s just the draw with her and she’s racing horses that are a bit more race hardened. She’ll need this run but expect her to bounce out of it.”

Brad Williamson takes two starters tonight – To The Moon And Back (One Over Da Moon) and Arlo Jones (What The Hill).

To The Moon And Back also starts in the Betavet Prepare – For Peak Performance Handicap Trot coming off a 10 metre handicap.

“He had a quiet trial on Tuesday to stretch his legs. I never pulled him out. I think whatever he does on Friday he’ll improve a bit more. He hasn’t lost his coat yet and he’s a bit behind in that department,” Brad said.

First starter Arlo Jones starts in the NZB Standardbred Harness Million for Two Year Old Trotters. He’s had three trials.

“I think he’s a nice horse going forward. I’ve taken him quietly at the trials. He feels like he’s got enough ability to compete in one of the upcoming two year old races. He does get a bit switched on and looks at things around him. He just needs to learn to switch off and take it all in his stride. He’s a horse to follow.”

Tisbury trainer Kirstin Green has just the one starter tonight in Just Like Jagger (Vincent). She raced against a quality group of mares at her last start and drops into a more suitable grade. She’ll be able to use her gate speed from five in the NZB Standardbred Southern Mares Classic.

“She was probably in need of that last run but she’s come on leaps and bounds. I’m pretty happy with her,” Green said.

Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) and Tarragindi (Majestic Son) will represent Nathan Williamson’s Branxholme barn.

Utah Jazz has won five of her seven starts and last started in July. She’s had two trials to fit her for the NZB Standardbred Southern Mares Classic and draws two on the second row.

“She hasn’t raced for a couple of months but I’m happy with her. She’s best not used early. The two times she’s been beaten we’ve used her up out of the gate. She’s got plenty of gate speed but she doesn’t quite finish it off at the other end if you use her early,” Nathan said.

Tarragindi races in the G3 Renwick Farms Trotters’ Classic.

He was very good when winning at Oamaru and draws two on the front row in the 2600 metre trotting feature.

“He seems good and I’m happy with him. He’s off the front and has to step up a bit from what he’s done. If he does he’ll be a good top four chance.”

The talented Captain Wolf (Captain Crunch) also ventures north for Gore trainer Tony Stratford and has drawn gate five in the Tyre General Mobile Pace over 1980 metres.

The two year old impressively cleared maiden ranks at Gore last month and will have Mark Hurrell on board.

Wyndham trainer Craig Ferguson will be hoping promising trotting filly Imperious Girl (Imperial Count) can put her best foot forward in the Aotea Electric Mobile Trot. She draws gate seven.

She’s broken in both of her starts at Addington.

Southerners will be hoping some of the money from tonight’s big stakes night heads south.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink