By Duane Ranger
Andre Poutama is just three victories away from achieving his goal of 30 wins in his first season as an open horseman.
The 25-year-old Ray Green employee has seven nice drives at Alexandra Park on Friday night, and even though there are no stand-outs he believes he has a couple of nice winning prospects.
The Franklin reinsman believed the Arna Donnelly trained Bet Out Of El, in the seventh race, was his best winning chance of the night.
“I think Arna is trying to qualify him for the Jewels Final. He’s got no Lazarus to contend with tonight,” Poutama said.
Here’s what Poutama had to say about his book of drives:
Race 2: The Eddy Clarke trained Whitecliff Chapel (7) – “She has been a bit disappointing after her spell and is slowly coming back to form. This field isn’t so strong and she did run home well two starts back. She can run in four.”
Race 3: The Ray Darby trained Bro Fawkes S (9, 10m) – “He just needs the right run dropping back in this class. I think he found the 2700m a bit long last start and I think the 2200 will suit him. He’s a hope because he does everything right.”
Race 4: The Ray Green trained Rocknroll Lincoln (6) – “He’s a 3-year-old colt who has suffered from poor draws lately. He was brave in front last time when he got attacked down the back. That took a wee bit out of him. If he can stay out of it early and then attack late I think he can be right in this. Each-way.”
Race 5: The Steve Telfer and Chris Garlick trained Rhythm N Blues (9) – “Another 3-year-old who was game last start after leading them and setting up a good time. He didn’t really get a breather that night. It depends what they do up front this time, but he loves racing and is not out of this.”
Race 6: The Ray Green trained She’s Ideal (4) – “Lightly raced mare who still has a lot to learn. She doesn’t possess any real speed yet and she’s not up there with the top 4-year-old mares going around but she does have a bit of talent and is drawn okay. She’s the sort of pacer who is going to get better and better with racing.
Race 7: The Arna Donnelly trained Bet Out Of El (4) – “He sat parked and did all the work in the New Zealand Messenger last start and this is a big drop in class. there’s no Lazarus to contend with this time. He’s on the verge of a Jewels (17th & $2,690 short) start and I think Arna wants to take him to Ashburton. I think he is one of the better chances in the race and probably my best drive of the night.”
Race 9: The Jason and Megan Teaz trained Mortician (1) – “Three-year-old trotting gelding that went real well at Manawatu last week when favourite. He ran second behind The Hulk that night and is a capable trotter on the verge of claiming his second career win. This field doesn’t seem as strong as what he’s been racing. He can win but it depends on what Mortician shows up.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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