By Duane Ranger
Frank Cooney and Tate Hopkins will unleash their two-year-old filly, Gottabearose and Cambridge Raceway on Thursday, but Positano is a better winning chance in the second event.
Gottabearose has drawn three, of seven, in the fourth race – the $7,000 Autex Industries Maiden for the two-year-old pacers, whereas Positano has copped the widest second row draw in the NSSC Mobile for maiden pacers.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Gottabearose won on debut. She’s good enough but at this stage of her career she just lacks a bit of ringcraft and confidence.
“Positano has had nine starts and has been real consistent of late. He’s a nice three-year-old gelding who just needs luck in the running from gate 14,” said Tate Hopkins who trains the duo with Frank Cooney at Taupaki.
Gottabearose is the third of four foals out of the two-win 2002 Live Or Die mare, Gottabeseptember.
Gottabearose finished fifth (of five) when qualifying 4.4 seconds under time at Pukekohe last Saturday. The Sir Lincoln filly finished half a second behind winner, Caitlyn Clarke and Scott Phelan.
“Whatever happens on Thursday she will benefit from the run. She appears to be an honest filly who tries her guts out, and from gate three she will have every show.
“We are working about 14 horses at the moment – six of which are two-year-olds. This filly would rate third or fourth best two-year-old we have got. Last week’s winner Churchill Downs is right up there,” Hopkins said.
Maurice McKendry drove Gottabearose to qualify, but has opted to drive the likely favourite – the Robert Dunn trained De Lancome in the two-year-old pace. James Stormont will drive Gottabearose.
De Lancome was a beaten four-length favourite when making his debut at Alexandra Park last Friday night. He drew two that night and has copped the one marble on Thursday. That run would have done him the world of good.
Hopkins said regular reinsman, Tony Herlihy (MNZM) would again drive Positano, who has placed four times from nine lifetime starts and has a two from three place record at Cambridge – and four from nine over Thursday’s 2200m mobile distance.
“Sure he will need a bit of luck from out there but he’s been racing reallyl well of late and has the driver to win. He went 2:46 when finishing a close-up fourth (from gate 10) at Alexandra Park last start.
“That was an encouraging performance and this race doesn’t look any harder. He got well back and ran home well that night. We’ve only got two in on Thursday and he’s our best winning chance,” Hopkins said.
Cooney and Hopkins have been training together since 2012-2013 and have trained 40 winners from 302 starters since then. They have so far conditioned six winners from 41 starters this season.
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