By Matt Markham
A drop back from Country Cup racing at Rangiora on Sunday should see Linton Shard tough to roll in the main event on a rare Friday afternoon at Addington Raceway.
The Cran Dalgety trained pacer, who lacks nothing in the size department, went down fighting against a strong field in Sunday’s Rangiora Cup on the grass track – beaten only by Imola, Stroke Of Luck and Karanga Red Fantasy.
That form should bode well for him heading into an even C2-C3 pace today.
A winner of three of his 17 career starts, the half-brother to Smiling Shard and Pemberton Shard might not reach the heights his siblings managed, but he should be in for a good summer around the traps.
Dexter Dunn will combine with the gelding again as he looks to peg back Blair Orange’s eight win lead on the drivers’ premiership/
While a standout on recent form arguably, Linton Shard won’t get it all his own way.
There’s a bit of depth to the 2600 metre field including in-form pacers Franco Tai and Letspendanitetogetha.
The former is running consistently good races for Terry and Glenys Chmiel and off the front mark will give those behind him something to chase.
Letspendanitetogetha has won his last two with Craig Smith in the sulky. John Dunn takes the drive tonight.
Meanwhile, Weedons horseman Nigel McGrath is keeping things even in his career.
As well as being on 470 training wins, McGrath is also on 470 driving wins. He’s got a big month and a bit ahead and should be getting close to at least the training milestone come the end of the season with a strong racing team around him.
Today he has My Wee Man and Special Change in an early maiden and then an in-form One Big Fella who tackles the last race of the evening.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Muscles Galore, One Over Da Stars, Chevron Express, Dragon’s Sister
Race 2: My Wee Man, Wall Street Wolf, Waimac Attack, Titanium
Race 3: Ice Crusher, Missinmemate, One Direction, Mighty American
Race 4: Ruakapuka Ruler, Culley Backy, Distinctive Del. Mrs Browns Boys
Race 5: Idle Monkey, Little Mo, Sundon’s Flyer, Astrapi
Race 6: Cullenz Diamond, Stop Means Stop, Toll Gate, Mac Toddy
Race 7: Smithy, Franco Tai, Letspendanitetogetha, Linton Shard
Race 8: Debaneyre, Sugar Cane, Forgot To Remember, Galleon’s Royale
Race 9: Letsgotothehop, Kitura, Time Traveller, Unico Enchantress
Race 10: Remiss, Nui Toc Tien, Joey Maguire. As Kiwi As
Best Bet: My Wee Man (Race 2)
Value: Ice Crusher (Race 3)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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