By Duane Ranger
Full Speed Ahead’s versatility could ensure Todd Macfarlane’s first Parawai Cup on the Thames grass on Saturday.
The Art Major gelding was a gutsy last start winner of the $9,000 Armstrong Family Rotorua Grass Cup for the R66 and faster pacers last Sunday.
He started from gate two and MacFarlane thinks he will again be tough to roll from the front (7) again this week.
“He didn’t cop a handicap which should see him right in this. He’s such a versatile horse. You can drive him anywhere. I’d love to win my first Thames Cup behind him,” Macfarlane said.
The Pukekohe reinsman drove the Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis trained 6-year-old like he was the best horse in the Rotorua Cup.
They went and sat parked for the last lap and then out-muscled their nine opponents in the 2600m stand. Saturday’s Cup is the same distance.
“They went slow in the Rotorua Cup and I didn’t want to get too far back so I went and sat outside the leader. He felt good and I knew he would have a bit to give because he had been racing against stronger fields in good times at Auckland,” Macfarlane said.
Hackett said he would race Full Speed Ahead on the North Island Country Cups Circuit before going to Australia to complete his career.
“He’s got a bit of speed and he’s won five races, so he’s no slug. You can drive him anywhere, but if he’s saved for the last run he can be very dangerous.
“I like him as a driver because he gives you options,” Macfarlane said.
“He’s my best drive at Thames,” he added.
Full Speed Ahead will be having his first look at Thames, but proved last start that he’s more than adept on grass. He’s also won twice and placed from three starts over the distance.
Toughest for Full Speed Ahead to beat could be the John and Josh Dickie trained Joanednobettor, who starts from 10m behind after winning the Te Awamutu Grass Cup on December 28.
The 5-year-old Bettor’s Delight and (Josh) Dickie mare never got close in the Rotorua Cup when second favourite – and she’s way better than that.
Only Hudy Haxwell (Scott Phelan) will start behind her from 20m. He’s also a winning prospect after ‘knocking on the door’ in his last three starts.
The past 10 winners of the Parawai (Thames) Cup have been:
2016: The Tim Vince trained Celtic Warrior (Kyle Marshall) 3:32.8.
2015: The Arna Donnelly trained and driven Ideal Success 3:25.2.
2014: The Tony Herlihy (MNZM) trained and driven Spirit Of Art 3:30.3.
2013: The David Marshall trained Tyler Maguire (Kyle Marshall j) 3:33.2.
2012: The David Kaa trained Speedstar (Jay Abernethy) 3:55.1.
2011:The David Kaa trained Speedstar (Jay Abernethy) 3:23.9.
2010: The Mike Berger trained Phil B (Arna Donnelly) 3:25.2.
2009: The Mike Stormont trained Border Raider (Anna Stormont j) 3:34.1.
2008: The Ian Small trained Heez Justamachine (Philip Butcher) 3:28.5.
2007: The Gareth Dixon trained Tuffery (Peter Ferguson) 3:27.5.
The remaining 2017 North Island Country Cups schedule is:
The Wellington Cup at the Kapiti Coast on (January 27); the Otaki Cup also at the Kapiti Coast (January 29); the Tauranga Grass Cup (February 5); the Manawatu Cup (February 9); and the Wanganui Cup (February 12).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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