NZ HARNESS NEWS
Amaretto Sun, who starred in tight class trot events at Addington 12 months ago, returns to Addington on Friday night but West Melton trainer Ken Ford says he will benefit from the run.
The Sundon gelding returns without a lead-up trial or workout but pleased Ford in fast work at Addington this week.
“He needs a run but the fields are not heavy so we put him in rather than going to a trial,” Ford said.
“We’ve been in to Addington and fast worked him with Donegal Carrickfin and I was happy with the way he worked,” he said.
“I’d rather to in there with three horses and know how hard we’re going and finish strong.”
Amaretto Sun was much too good in last September’s Ordeal Trotting Cup at Addington, clearing out by four lengths over Sheemon and Daryl Boko in 3:15.9 (mobile 2600m).
But he hasn’t raced since disappointing at Methven last December, which had Ford searching for the reason.
“We put a chemical dye through him and found he had a bone chip so had it removed and he’s come through it good.”
From the same family as international trot champion Lyell Creek, Amaretto Sun has won nine of his 29 starts.
He comes up against racefit mares, Alderbeck and Ayra, along with Eyre I Come and Belles Son (both resuming after two trials) in Friday’s fast class Darfield ITM Handicap Trot.
Ford says Donegal Carrickin, a form pacer from the same family as Amaretto Sun and the stable’s former top age group trotter Marcoola, will be also be better for Friday’s return to racing in race six.
He was freshened after running a game second to Christopher Banner from the nine gate over 2600m in a 1:57.6 mile rate at Addington on July 14.
The Bettor’s Delight brother to Bettor’s Creek (1:56.1, 10 wins) and Donegal Kahlum (1:54.9) has continued to race generously since being left with Ford in May by Kaikoura owner-trainer David Broadhurst.
Both Ford runners will be driven by grand-daughter Sheree Tomlinson, who won 24 races last term and already has four wins just over a month into the new season.
One of the best bets on Friday’s programme should be in the first trot race where Rum In The Sun looks very well-graded.
The consistent Bacardi Lindy gelding has been close up in rating 50+ races over the last month and drops to an up to rating 50 event.
His only previous win for Templeton trainer Michael Palermo came in a mobile 1950m trot at Addington in March.
Colin De Filippi’s best chance of driving his 2000th NZ winner may rest with the consistent Mikey Maguire in race four. His only other drives are with Izmok in race three, and outsider Hannah Extreme in race nine.
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