NZ HARNESS NEWS
Kim Blakemore has goals and ambitions, just like the rest of her junior driver peers.
But to achieve them, she needs drives. And to get them, she needs to make a name for herself.
So, she heads in to Friday night’s Alexandra Park meeting keen to record a first northern winner behind her dad Danny’s horse, Cooking With Gas.
They paired up for the first time last week, but it was a non-event after she drew wide and got caught back in a sprint home.
This week they’ve drawn one in a conditioned maiden and rate as one of the better chances.
“I’m really happy with the draw,” said Kim.
“She doesn’t have a heap of gate speed but I’m going to try and hunt her out and get as handy as possible.
“Last week we drew wide and were never a chance when they sprinted home, which really doesn’t suit her.”
Blakemore, 22, has been back in Auckland for most of the year after stints in Canterbury and Australia.
“I went down to Canterbury when I was 17 and worked for Phil Burrows before spending three years with Benny Hill.
“Then I went over to Aussie and spent some time with KerryAnn Turner and Robbie Morris in Sydney and Peter McMullen and Chantal Turpin in Queensland.”
But home is where the heart is and she returned home earlier in the year and plans on sticking around for at least a couple of years.
“I’m working with John and Josh Dickie and really loving it.
“It’s been five months now. They are good people and very nice to work for, plus they have a great team of horses.”
Blakemore hopes the day comes that she will be able to drive a few of the Dickie team but realises she has to prove herself.
“I enjoy driving, and I want to do more of it, but it’s not my main focus as I just love working with the horses.
“I haven’t had many drives but was lucky enough to pick up a win for Benny down south and was very grateful for the opportunities he gave me.
“It’s hard to get drives up here as a lot of them are booked before the nominations come out and the fields aren’t very big most of the time.
“It’s really tough and that was part of the reason I went to Aussie.”
One thing is for sure, Kim won’t be coping a whip fine like her visiting brother Michael did for driving the same horse a fortnight ago.
“That won’t be happening; I’ll be counting to ten.
“But I can see how it happened as she’s a typical Bettor’s Delight – very lazy and needing encouragement.”
The Dickies have ten horses in on the night and Blakemore pointed towards trotting mare Geena’s Girl as her pick for the night.
“She’s a really nice mare. So tough and went good last start when a little bit fat.
“She’s drawn handy and has been displaying very good manners recently.”
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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