By Matt Markham
Everything is still up for grabs on the West Coast circuit.
As everyone packs up their horses and gear this morning and makes the trek through the hills to Reefton, the three major prizes of the annual circuit are still up for contention.
The popular West Coast bonus for the best performed horse, which carries a $5,000 prize, could fall to anyone of a number of horses while the trainers’ and drivers’ prizes which each have a $2,000 prize are close fought affairs.
Unlike the old West Coast bonus in which a horse had to win on each of the three days of racing, nowadays it’s points based and awarded to the best performed horse over the three days of racing.
Dean Hunter’s trotter, Arditi, is the only unbeaten runner on the circuit and therefore leads the points table in which five points are awarded for a win, three points are given for second, two for third and one for fourth.
Six horses nip at his heels on eight points, although one of those is the homeward bound Buster Brady who won’t compete today.
Bronze Over, Bobby M, Precious Sara, Destiny Jones and Glenisthebettor are all in that next bracket courtesy of picking up a win and a second placing so far and are the best placed horses to knock Arditi off the top spot.
In a cruel twist of fate for those chasing the leader though, his race today is the final race on the programme.
So no matter what unfolds during the day, no one will know the outcome of the bonus until the last race is run and won.
The trainers’ prize is being lead by Greg and Nina Hope who have a five point buffer on their nearest rival, Robert Anderson.
Dean Hunter (18), Robert Dunn (14), Craig Kennedy (11) and Dean Taylor (9) fill the next spots and are the only ones capable, it would seem, of pegging back the Hope team if their team was to not fire this afternoon.
In the drivers’ competition it’s the Dunn boys out in front with John (32) leading Dexter (27).
On current form for the circuit, Ricky May would be the only one who could trouble the brothers if he was to have a stellar day with his current tally at 24.
Craig Thornely (20), Robbie Close (19), Robert Anderson (19) and Carl Markham (13) the next in line down the leaderboard.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Troy Castleton, War Spirit, Greenandwhite, Zoned Scarlett
Race 2: American Alice, Mr Asia, Lolita Franco, Got A Beauty
Race 3: Garry’s Legacy, Scoob Operator, Franco Lamar, Clarendon Falcon
Race 4: Master Jordy, JJ’S Delight, Smooth Fire, Cavalier Bromac
Race 5: Franco Tmick, Star In The Future, Ireby Meg, Canndew
Race 6: Say My Name, Johnny Eyre, Bronze Over, Eastwood Chieftain
Race 7: Samarias Falcon, Jonty James, Flamboyant, Bobby M
Race 8: Ranfurly Rulz, Extreme Spark, Graduate Under Fire, Sails
Race 9: Arditi, Destiny Jones, Monkey Luck, Ronald J
Best Bet: Garry’s Legacy (Race 3)
Value: American Alice (Race 2)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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