by Duane Ranger
Cambridge Raceway’s champion trainer of last season again has several winning chances at Harness Racing Waikato’s first meeting of the 2016-2017 season at ‘The Raceway’ tonight (Thursday).
Jay Abernethy not only won the Cambridge Raceway training premiership in 2015-2016, but the 32-year-old recorded his best season in 10 years of conditioning standardbreds with 35 winners.
“It was a successful season and I’m hoping we can carry that on again on Thursday. I think what made it more special was we had almost 100 less starters than when we recorded our previous best season of 27 wins in 2013-2014.
“I don’t think people realise that we turned over a lot of horses last season. Placing them correctly and having good reliable staff ensured our success. I’m grateful to all my work colleagues and owners who let us booth train and drive their horses,” Abernethy said.
The South Auckland horseman said he was proud of his Cambridge training title saying horses like Our Southern Man and Silver Stream were more suited to Cambridge racing than Alexandra Park.
“We like going down to Cambridge and race a lot there because the track and races suit a lot of our horses more than what Auckland does,” he said.
Silver Stream and Our Southern Man both received Harness Racing Waikato recognition last season. Our Southern Man won four races at Cambridge Raceway in 2015-2016 while Silver Stream won five. They received a Dunstan Nutrition voucher worth $1,000 and $2000 respectively.
“I was proud of Silver Stream for what he achieved last season. Not many horses win five races in a season on the same track.
“All up he won seven of his 16 starts last season. That was a highlight. He also provided me with my 400th driving victory, so here’s hoping he goes well again on Thursday,” Papakura-based Abernethy said.
Silver Stream will have his first race as a 12-year-old and second this campaign in the seventh event – the $7,000 BNZ Matamata Handicap Trot. The new points handicapping system comes into operation for the meeting and this race is rated R55 & Faster.
“He got knocked out of the race when having his first start in five months at Camridge on July 21. Prior to that he won at ‘The Raceway’ over the same 2700m distance.
“If we can take bad luck out of the equation this time he should put his foot in the till. He’s working well,” Abernethy said.
Silver Stream, who will be driven by his trainer, has a R85 rating and will start from 20m behind. Franco Nadal, who is an R70 trotter will start from the 10 metre handicap.
Abernethy rated the Tremain Thorby driven Elliot Daniel as his best winning chance in the amateur driving event on Thursday.
The 9-year-old Live Or Die gelding will start from the widest front row draw (8) in that first race – the $6,000 Matamata Business Community Mobile for 5yo and older R62-plus pacers and claimers.
“He’s the best of the three we have in the race. The others (Shantalia Knight and Lola Jones) are also a chance because they have drawn well and have the ability to figure.
“Elliot Daniel and Tremain won two starts back on the track and then finished second (behind Concorde) last start (July). I think his consistency will take him a long way on Thursday and for that reason I think he’s our best winning chance on the night.”
Abernethy also rated Lindy’s Dream (Trent Lethaby) in the second event – the $6,00 Matamata Handicap for up to R49 trotters.
“He was only beaten half-a-head here two weeks ago when he drew two. He would only have to go half as good as what he did that night to rate a chance in that race.
“We are also looking after Doug’s (Gale) mare, I’m A Special (4). She’s only had two starts and went well for third last time. She won at the Workouts on Saturday and only has to do things right to go close,” Abernethy said.
Abernethy’s younger brother Sailesh will do the steering.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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