By Matt Markham
DOMINION UNLIKELY FOR DEFENDING CHAMPION
Don’t expect to see Master Lavros battling it out in the Dominion Handicap. That’s the thoughts of the big horse’s trainer, Mark Jones, who on Friday night confirmed that he thought it was highly unlikely that Master Lavros would be back to defend his Dominion title. “We won’t be rushing him and I don’t think we will get there,” he said. Jones said the Methven Green Mile in December was a potential starting point and then a Free-For-All at Omakau before heading North.
BUTCHER AND KEAST ON THE SIDELINES
Amateur driver, Stephen Butcher and junior driver Darren Keast both felt the wrath of the stewards on the weekend. The pair both were handed suspensions for driving incidents. Butcher was suspended until the 28th of December after he was found to have driven carelessly when locking wheels and then being tipped out on Shardon’s Pearl. Keast was suspended for two days for striking the wheel of another runner on his drive, Going To California.
HUGHIE BACK IN THE WINNING GROOVE
Star North Island pacer Hughie Green was successful at the Pukekohe workouts on the weekend. The Brian Hughes trained pacer beat a tidy four horse field, including Start Dreaming. Driven by Maurice McKendry the imposing pacer cut some tidy final sectionals to win by a length. Others to impress at the workouts were recent South Island import, Monnay and Cowboys N Aliens – the first foal of former Group One winning filly, Cowgirls N Indians.
McILWRICK OFF TO A FLYER
Otago based junior driver Rory McIlwrick has made a flying start to the season and leads the junior driver’s premiership after the first month of racing. McIlwrick, who is attached to the stable of Graeme Anderson, has six wins on the board after winning the last race with Arden’s Concord on Sunday at Oamaru. It’s the second time he’s won on the horse this season and also the second time they have won at Oamaru.
STARS TO STEP OUT AGAIN
After making their resumptions at the trials last week, the All Stars big three for this year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup are back in action this afternoon. Have Faith In Me, Lazarus and Smolda will all contest the final heat of the day at the workouts this afternoon after which decisions will be made on who is likely to head to the Canterbury Classic next week.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
