NZ HARNESS NEWS
Tony Cameron enjoyed a good 24-hour period at Alexandra Park to start the weekend, driving two winners and recording his first Group race placing.
All three came behind horses – The Almighty Johnson, Queen Lostris and Charlie Mach – trained by his long-time boss, Tony Herlihy.
The Almighty Johnson had the trail in Friday night’s Group 2 $50,000 Lyell Creek Stakes for trotters and took advantage, running third behind stablemate Temporale and gun square-gaiter Speeding Spur.
“I was over the moon with his run; he tried his guts out all the way to the line,” said Cameron.
“The two that went past him are bloody good horses so it was a top effort to run third.”
Fast forward 24 hours and Cameron reined home a pair of winners on the eight-race card, showing great patience and skill with both.
Charlie Mach was having his first start for Herlihy after transferring from down-sized former trainer Geoff Small over the winter.
He capitalised on a strong tempo to dart up the inner and win, the second in as many nights for the Alabar Racing Syndicate that had Chase Auckland win a night earlier.
Despite placing as a two-year-old, being drawn well and having workout form, he went out paying better than $15 on the tote.
“I thought his trials were pretty good leading up to it and didn’t think he’d pay such a good price,” said Cameron.
“I suppose the people that backed him will be happy, though.
“Going as hard as they did early suited him down to the ground; we took all the shortcuts and managed to get past them down the straight.”
Cameron believes the syndicate will have a bit more fun with the son of Mach Three.
“I don’t why he won’t kick on from this and win a couple more here – at the very least.”
Queen Lostris was another to come from well back in the field and win, defying her bad draw on the outside of the second line.
“She’s been hard done-by lately with her draws.
“The junior drivers’ races being preferential draw haven’t helped her.
“But she got an ideal run and the tempo of the race suited her down to the ground.”
Cameron is in the upper echelon of junior drivers in the north at present and is enjoying picking up good drives for Herlihy and other trainers, like Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis.
“Everything’s ticking away nicely, I suppose.
“I’ve been getting on some nice horses and they’ve been doing the job.”
Having New Zealand’s winningest ever driver to call on for advice every morning is an added bonus, too.
“Tony’s been really good to me; he helps me out a lot.
“The next day after the races me and him will have a yarn about the drives from the night before and go through them.”
While Cameron has driving goals, what is really motivating at present is trying to win races with his first horse as a trainer, All Over The Stars.
He’s a real talent but has been plagued by minor injuries and bad behavior in his handful of races to date.
“His manners have just let him down a couple of times at the races, but I have gelded him and hopefully that will keep his mind on the job.
“He’ll race next week at Auckland on the 22nd.
“I really want to win one with him as I am enjoying the challenge of training a trotter.”
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
