By Tayler Strong
The in-form reinsman Blair Orange has passed a vote of confidence in Jayceekay at Forbury Park on Wednesday night.
Orange has opted to drive Jayceekay (race 7) over Another Delight, whom he drove to a last start win at Forbury Park on December 9. The Neil Munro-trained Jayceekay ran fourth to Everybody Knows at Addington last Friday with Stephen McNally the driver. Orange drove Jayceekay to win at Ascot Park in October.
Orange has been in great form with five wins last weekend, two at Winton and three at Rangiora. He is leading the premiership with 60 wins, eight more than Dexter Dunn, who did not drive in New Zealand for three weeks from November 21 when attending the Interdominion in Perth.
Andrew Suddaby is the replacement driver on Another Delight. He has previously driven the mare.
“Blair was booked for Jayceekay otherwise he would have had the drive,’’ said Robert Wilson, the Balfour trainer of Another Delight. Orange drives the Wilson-trained Eage Galleon (race 5).
Dunn, who drove two winners at Alexandra Park on Friday night and another at Rangiora, renews his association with Westwood trainer Graeme Anderson tonight driving Regal Gesture, Motu Time To Shine and Sovereign Banner. The combination has been potent at Forbury Park meetings.
Regal Gesture (race 3) is a newcomer to the Anderson stable after an unplaced run there on November 30. The 4yr-old was a winner on grass at Cromwell last January when trained by part-owner David Mitchell. He finished second to Zenmach in a trial at Roxburgh on Sunday.
Motu Time To Shine ran second to Seduce Me in a fast run trial at Roxburgh. The 3yr-old filly, who has not raced for two months, won twice at Forbury Park in October. She has only raced four times.
Sovereign Banner ran fourth at Winton on Saturday in his first race since October 23. His stablemate Expresso Martini is a race rival with leading junior Rory McIlwrick back in the sulky. Expresso Martini was a five and a quarter length winner in a claimer at Washdyke last month when driven by Dunn. Expresso Martini won three races in fast times at Forbury Park during the winter.
Robyn’s Bad Boy, a winner in New Zealand record time of 2.54.1 for 2400m (mobile) at Winton two starts back could be the stumbling block for the Anderson pair.
A c2 –3 mobile 2200m (race 9) is ideal for Donegal Rundlescreek, a Dunn drive. The 4yr-old mare, who has a C3 assessment with five wins, is eligible for the race through not having finished closer than third in her last four starts. She has been given the most unfavourable draw, eight, the outside of the front line based on her assessment and stake earnings.
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