By Duane Ranger
If you are unsure about picking a winner at Cambridge today (Friday) stick with the tried and true – the Raceway’s leading trainer of last season, Jay Abernethy.
Abernethy is taking just one horse to the Harness Racing Waikato meeting and punters won’t have to wait long to see his stable representative line up.
The consistent Gotta Go Cullect gelding start in the first event – the McMillan Equine Feeds Amateur Mobile for the 4-year-and-older 63 rated paces.
The 5-year-old start from gate four, which is really three because there is one scratching inside him. John Kriechbaumer will do the driving.
“He’s been racing really well lately and even though this is a step up in grade he seems to get through his races well. With the right run he can be a good chance, but looking at the field he is going to need a few things go his way,” said trainer Abernethy.
Collection placed in three starts before winning at Hawera last Sunday. He is having his first look at ‘The Raceway’ tonight but he has placed at Alexandra Park, and he has the draw to find a nice sit early.
Abernethy said coming north from Brian Johnson’s stable at Richmond Park in December had been a positive move
“Brian organised him to come after the last Manawatu meeting because there was lack of opportunity for him in Blenheim without doing heaps of travelling with him.
“Brian sent him up in super order and all we have done is tick him over so most of the credit goes to him. He was in fantastic order and because of that we haven’t done anything different with him,” Abernethy said.
The toughest for Collection to beat will be the Cheree Wigg trained and driven Elliot Daniel, who was hampered in the straight when heavily supported at Waipa.
But her twin sister Sheryl could get over the top of them both with the Tim Vince trained Chal Shocked. The Jereme’s Jet 5-year-old goes well in amateur events and it’s best you ignore his last start gallop, also at Waipa.
The main event of the evening – the $9,000 Georgia Brooke Memorial Handicap for the R66 and faster pacers is an even affair.
Pukekohe trainer Derek Balle has a high opinion of Kenrick, and the 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight entire only needs to get a nice sit from barrier his 10m handicap to be a major threat.
Kenrick has won one of his five starts at Cambridge Raceway and placed in two others. He’s lightly raced having won four of his 25 starts, including one over tonight’s 2700m stand.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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