NZ HARNESS NEWS
The Robert Anderson-trained team usually comes into its own about this time of the year, but there were a few cheeky comments following the North Canterbury horseman’s winning double at Rangiora that he might have peaked too early this year.
Anderson is one of many trainers who is a regular attendee to the annual West Coast racing circuit – and often does so with a bit of success.
The talented horseman showed on Sunday that his team is on track for another big showing on the other side of the Southern Alps when both Sunny Glenis and Glenis Marie were victorious after strong front-running performances.
“I tell you what, after race two I was wondering if I was in Westport,” Anderson laughed.
“Here’s me winning the first race and then Carl Markham wins the second – we might as well have been over there.”
Anderson double came courtesy of members of the family of Mike and the late Glenis Stevens with one well overdue and the other coming as no surprise to the trainer.
Sunny Glenis has been knocking on the door for many months with five placings in her 23 career starts prior to Sunday.
“It’s been a case of building her confidence and getting her stronger and she’s slowly getting there.
“Her manners are a big asset and with them she shouldn’t be out of it up in grade either I wouldn’t think.”
On the other side of the coin, Glenis Marie has always been more than capable, but is often let down by her gait which gives her trouble in her races. Her last two starts had been blotted with gallops in the running, but allowed to dictate her own terms in front on Sunday she was far too good for her opposition.
“With the track playing the way it is, getting near to the speed was always the key.
“She’s a pretty fair horse this one – the best of them by a long way – but her gait is her biggest problem.”
Both horses are raced by Mike Stevens along with the estate of Glenis, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2011.
They will be heading, along with potentially five other Anderson runners to the West Coast next week for three days of racing.
“At this stage it is seven, but we will see how things go over the course of the week.”
Sunday’s feature, the Rangiora Summer Cup was dominated by the Nigel McGrath stable.
Weedons-based McGrath picked up the quinella with My Wee Man continuing his return to form with a bold victory over stablemate, Goodlookin Chick.
Terry Chmiel picked up the drive on the winner while McGrath was on board the runner up.
- NZ Harness News
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