Second top qualifier, Everything, only needs to step to be a huge chance in this evening's $25,000 North Island Country Cups Final at Cambridge Raceway.
This season's Otaki and Stratford Grass Cup winner has won twice and placed twice from four standing starts, but it's the first 100 metres that worries his Cambridge trainer/driver Nicky Chilcott.
“He’s been a bit iffy in his last couple of stands. Last start at Hawera he missed away and then recovered to run third. I haven’t given him too much practice from a stand because I think more could worsen the problem.
“We won’t be able to afford to give them a start this time because horses like Fleeting Grin (top qualifier) can run a quick 2700m off the front. Apart from that little concern the horse is very well and it’s amazing to think just how much he’s progressed this season,” Chilcott said.
Everything shot to prominence on January 29 when he nailed the first of his two Country Cups at Otaki.
Everything, who is out of the seven-win ($45, 478) Camtastic mare For The Girls, won the Otaki Cup in 3:57.1 (mile rate for the 3,000m stand: 2:07.1) and home in 58.5 and 30.6.
Then on March 5 the 5-year-old Sands A Flyin gelding was the $3.40 favourite when winning the Stratford Grass Cup in 3:31.6 (mile rate for the 2,600m stand: 2:10.9) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 60.3 and 29.6.
“He’s a special horse because he keeps on turning up. He’s also such a lovely pacer to drive because you can sit parked, trail, or get back in the field with him – and then when you push the ‘go-button’ he goes.
“He also relaxes when you want him to. He’s an absolute pleasure to be around as well. Imajollywally is the horse to beat but if my fella can step then he’s right in this,” Chilcott said.
The 45-year-old Cambridge horsewoman has a special affinity with Everything. On the first day of her Otaki Cup win the gelding notched up her 400th training victory.
Everything won four of his first five workouts before qualifying 4.6 seconds under time at Cambridge Raceway on July 9 in 2015.
"Les White, who works for me, noticed that the horse wasn’t doing much and I got him through Les. He did a lot of his early work, so the horse is a credit to him,” Chilcott said.
She said Everything galloped on debut at Alexandra Park on August 14 and then defibrillated next start. He was then turned out and has come back a new horse winning four of his last six starts.
“We formed the Syndicate because a lot of people wanted me to get them involved in racing. We have had a wee bit of success to date but nothing major.
“It’s all about fun and affording what you can. Some of the 30 to 40 owners might only only a hair out of the tail but they will have fun. I’m sure they did tonight even though I didn’t see too many on-course," aid Chilcott.
Everything was bred by Hambletonian Limited. He is owned by the Summer Fun Number 1 Syndicate.
Tonight’s Revital Fertilisers-sponsored NI Country Cups Final is the feature event at tonight's 10-strong HarnessRacing Waikato – Bay of Plenty twilight meeting.
Chilcott also said Everything was her best winning chance.
Past North Island Country Cup winners have been:
2016 (at New Plymouth) – The Anne-Marie Best trained Tijuana Bromac (David Butcher).
2015 (at Manawatu Raceway): The Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained and driven Darcee.
2014 (at Hawera): The Pat & Mike O'Brien trained Beckinsale (Dylan Ferguson – j).
2013 (at Manawatu): The Tony Grayling trained Brydon Delight (Sailesh Abernethy – j).
2012 (at New Plymouth): The Ian Small trained Zenola Seelster (David Butcher).
2011 (at Alexandra Park): The Barry Purdon & Scott Phelan trained Kobe Bryant (Brent Mangos).
2010 (at Alexandra Park): The Maurice McKendry trained and driven Percy The Punter.
2009: (at Alexandra Park): The Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained and driven Ohoka Dallas.
2008 (at Alexandra Park): The Geoff Small trained Victory Spirit (David Butcher).
2007: (at Alexandra Park): The Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained and driven Armbro The Thug.
2006: (at Alexandra Park): The Pat & Mike O'Brien trained Kay N Kayes (Peter Ferguson).
North Island Country Cup winners this season were:
December 28: Te Awamutu Grass Cup – The John & Josh Dickie trained Joanednobettor (Josh Dickie).
January 15: Rotorua Grass Cup – The Michelle Wallis & Bernie Hackett trained Full Speed Ahead (Todd Macfarlane).
January 21: Parawai Grass Cup – The Steve Telfer & Chris Garlick trained Sir Richie (Maurice McKendry).
January 27: Wellington Grass Cup – The Andrew Stuart trained Pay Me Visa (Kyle Marshall).
January 29: Otaki Grass Cup – The Nicky Chilcott trained and driven Everything.
February 5: Tauranga Grass Cup – The Chris Webber trained Fleeting Grin (Peter Ferguson).
February 9: The Manawatu Cup – The Mike Berger trained Lusty Mac (Philip Butcher).
February 12: Wanganui Grass Cup – The Brent Mangos trained and driven Maxim.
February 24: The Franklin Country Cup (Alexandra Park) – The Brent Mangos trained and driven Maxim.
March 2: Taranaki Grass Cup – The Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained Walkinshaw (Scott Phelan).
March 5: Stratford Grass Cup – The Nicky Chilcott trained and driven Everything.
March 31: Palmerston North Gold Cup – The Mike Berger trained Bettor Spirits (Philip Butcher).
April 17: Hawera Grass Cup – The Arna Donnelly trained and driven Imajollywally.
The top qualifiers for the North Island Country Cups Final (with points) are:
Fleeting Grin 39, Everything 36, Imajollywally 22, Maxim 20, Full Speed Ahead 18, Bettor Spirits 15, Sir Richie 15, Pay Me Visa 14, Beyond the Silence 10, Joanednobettor 10, Lusty Mac 10, Mo Casino 10, Walkinshaw 10, Extra Guinness 8, Kenrick, Eldolar 5, Major Classic 4, Dikerry 3, Hudy Haxwell 3, The Tracker 3.
Duane Ranger
