Thornley hoping to turn six drives into multiple winners

In-form harness racing driver Sam Thornley looks to have at least two, maybe three, winning chances among his six drives at Addington on Wednesday.

Ben From Accounts (Race 2 – $1.70) and Hungry Bronnie (Race 5 – $1.90) both opened as short-priced favourites while Don’t Tell Jenny is a $4.20 second pick in Race 6.

Thornley also trains Ben From Accounts (6) who is having just his second start in the Betavet Mobile Pace (5.00pm).

He was pleased with how he finished on into third on debut at Addington, after starting on the second line.

“He went super last week.. he hit the line better than I could have expected and just after the post he was strong so he’s a good chance,” says Thornley.

“The way he’s worked you’d like to think he’d back up.”

There are two factors behind Ben From Accounts’ name.

The horse’s ownership group are all based in the south and were big fans of the former Otago and All Black star Ben Smith who was given the nickname during his playing days. The other is the fact that the horse’s sire Net Ten EOM just happens to be an accounting term.

Hungry Bronnie is also seen as a top prospect in Race 5, the Book Your Xmas Function at Addington Mobile Pace (6.49pm).

Trained by Aaron Swain, the four-year-old mare was fourth last week after cleaning up his rivals for a big win at Timaru the start before.

“He was a bit rough out of the gate last start that cost it but if it goes like it did first start it should be a good chance.”

In Race 6, the US Captain Standing at Wai Eyre Farm Mobile Pace (7.24pm), three race-winner Don’t Tell Jenny returns after a more than a six month break for trainer Ross Houghton, with Thornley confident she can make an impact.

“She looks to better than a lot in his field but she’s fresh up and will need some luck but she has speed so could be running over the top of them at the end.”

Thornley’s other drives include Lets Get Tropical in Race 3, the Ricoh Canterbury Plains Spring Series Heat 6 Mobile Pace (5.35pm).

“The longer distance will suit him.”

He’s at long odds ($35) as is Motor Mouth who’ll start off the unruly for Thornley in Race 4, the Avon City Ford Pace (6.14pm)

“Tempo Warrior looks like it will be pretty hard to beat in that race,” says Thornley.

The Mark Jones-trained 7YO opened at $1.75 with Motor Mouth at $71.

Thornley’s night finishes with Lorton Vale ($21) who has drawn the ace in Race 7, the Aotea Electric Canterbury Plains Spring Series Heat 17 Mobile Pace.

“Hopefully we can punch out and trail the right one. He’s a top four chance.”

Racing gets underway at 4.22pm.

To see the Addington fields click here

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk