By Duane Ranger
Cambridge Raceway’s leading trainers in 2016-2017 – Steve and Telfer and Chris Garlick can increase their lead at the top of the track’s training premiership tonight.
Telfer and Garlick have notched up 107 points this season – 11 more than Todd Mitchell and 21 more than Barry Purdon. Tim Vince is fourth with 73 points.
Garlick said his stable would be represented by two pacers in races eight and nine tonight – and rated them both winning chances – with runs to suit.
“It’s hard to split the pair of them actually. They are both working well and can both win if things go their way. Happy Magic has the better draw but Lola Jones is a better beginner,” said Garlick who is working about 20 horses with Telfer at Ardmore.
He then went in depth about the duo. Here’s what Garlick had to say:
Race 8: Lola Jones (5) Todd Macfarlane – “Six-year-old McArdle mare who meets a stronger field this time, but in saying that she’s a real genuine race-horse with great manners. From the 10m handicap, and with just two horses off the front, Todd should be able to put her in a nice position. She likes Cambridge (seven of her eight wins have been there) and hasn’t been far away of late. She won well here earlier this month and even though there’s a couple of smart ones in this, she can still go close. Each-way.”
Happy Magic (3) David Butcher – “Grinfromeartoear 3-year-old gelding, who is having his second run back since October. He drew one at Cambridge when resuming a couple of weeks ago and ended up three-back on the fence and came home real nice. I think this field might be a bit stronger, but he will be definitely better for the run as well. He should get handy again on Friday and is drawn to be thereabouts. He’s won and has placed from three starts on the track. Each-way.”
Meanwhile, the feature event – the $8,000 Ray O’Connor Memorial Handicap for the R71 to R78 pacers should see the Arna Donnelly trained Bat Out Of El (Zac Butcher) and the Scott Dickson trained duo of Ralph Elliot (Maurice McKendry – MNZM) and Marshall Star (Philip Butcher) be the hardest for Lola Jones to beat.
With no racing at Alexandra Park this week Harness Racing Waikato was able to receive 99 nominations and therefore post 10 races – starting and finishing at 5.37pm and 10.06pm.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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