NZ HARNESS NEWS
The Central Courage Syndicate are hoping McLaren can give their group another podium finish as owners at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
The Central Otago-based syndicate have a proud history of racing winners and have recently purchased the three year-old in the hope of adding to that legacy.
Trainers Geoff and Jude Knight secured the Stunin Cullen gelding from the Methven stable of highly-regarded seller of horses, Danny McKendry.
Whether McLaren can show he has a super-charged engine will be decided by how the horse handles the step-up from trials and workouts to race day.
“He has got good manners, he probably lacks a bit a bit of street-wise race sense,’’ Geoff Knight said.
‘He is good enough to win it, but he might just lack that race-sense.’’
McLaren is not likely race deep in to the Forbury Park winter season, instead he will head to the spelling paddock where it is hoped he can strengthen his hulking frame.
‘’He is a big slab of a horse, so we are going to take him along quietly and give him a couple of starts and then turn him out.’’
Returning as a stronger four-year-old will put the pacer in a better position to show the kind of form other horses owned by the Central Courage Syndicate have in the past.
The group have raced handy types Zenmach, Omaha Beach and Seduce Me as well as former Country Cups final winner turned North American free-for-aller Al Raza.
The Knight stable will also line up Nevill Lane alongside McLaren in race 5 at Forbury Park.
‘’His two runs have been better than his seventh placings might indicate,’’ Geoff Knight said.
‘’He has got a bit of speed so he might be able to pop up somewhere, he is a place chance.’’
The Knights are hoping strong recent track-work is a sign Thisladyrocks can turn around her form in race 3 at Forbury Park
“She worked the best she has ever worked two days ago, we will drive her conservatively in the small field and she can place.”
The Roxburgh trainers also line up the obscurely-bred Roxy Dale, who is by quiet achieving stallion Knight Rainbow from Rhonda Dale, who is by massive commercial flop I Am A Fool.
The mare looks a solid chance to add another win to her pedigree page, which has to be seen to be believed, in her first start for the Knights in race 8.
The Knight stable have another four runners entered at Saturday’s meeting at Ascot Park.
Progressive three-year-old Archman will head south with his stablemates Jacks N Jazz, Armstrong and Fiery Ferrit.
- NZ Harness News
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