NZ HARNESS NEWS
Sparkling Delight on the way back up
Ultra-consistent Mid Canterbury pacer Sparkling Delight is working his way towards a racetrack resumption after a leg injury.
He hasn’t been seen since running third behind Heaven Rocks in the Group 1 Harness Jewels 4YO Emerald at Ashburton in early June.
He won two workouts in September as he worked towards a Spring campaign, but injury soon befell him.
“He had a slight hole in a suspensory ligament,” said trainer Gerard O’Reilly.
“It was low down and wasn’t a tear, just a bit of a strain, but it required a couple of months out.
“We shock-waved him and treated him and he’s back jogging now.”
O’Reilly also reported there is significant buyer interest in the stable’s maiden mare, The Dream Maker, who flew home for second on debut at Motukarara late last month.
“The syndicate have been offered good money for her and they have to sit down and decide if they’ll take it.
“She’s racing at Oamaru tomorrow and they’ll make their mind up after that.”
Cup Prelude shelved at Nelson on Friday
The Nelson Harness Racing Club has had to can its Cup Prelude on Friday but the $14,999 Nelson Pine Industries Summer Cup is going ahead on Sunday.
The club received six nominations for the Prelude but Nek Time was withdrawn after breaking down and the connections of Don Domingo preferred to start on the second day only.
Cable Beach, Love To Dream and C A Penny will also target the Cup only while first day starters in Hopeful Harriet, Joey Maguire and The Bus will back up.
“That’ll give us at least seven starters for the Cup and I expect there’ll be one or two first day winners willing to take the step up as well,” said race day secretary Jason Broad.
Ultimate Machete draws well in Fremantle Cup
Gun four-year-old Ultimate Machete has fared the best of the two Kiwi runners in Friday night’s A$300,000 Fremantle Cup at Gloucester Park in Perth.
He has drawn gate two for the 2536m mobile event, outside noted quick beginner and definite early leader, Bettors Fire.
His champion stablemate Lazarus has drawn smack, bang in the middle of the front line at gate five.
Driver and co-trainer Mark Purdon will be in two minds whether to go forward and sit parked for three laps, or try and slot in for some early cover before making a mid-race move, like he did in the Inter Dominion Grand Final.
Co-trainer Natalie Rasmussen will make the trip to Perth to partner Ultimate Machete in the sulky.
Field: [Front Line] Bettors Fire, Ultimate Machete, Vultan Tin, Chicago Bull, Lazarus, My Hard Copy, Ohoka Punter, Galactic Star, Soho Tribeca, [Second Line]Devendra, The Bucket List, Motu Premier.
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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