By Matt Markham
A number of battles within races will be certain to be a highlight of the first meeting for 2016 at Addington tonight.
With a Super Series just around the corner as well as some premier racing, the first meeting for the new year at harness headquarters was always going to be a well-attended meeting in terms of horses numbers, but it’s the quality of some of the fields that will undoubtedly make the night’s race.
The highlight clash of the night comes in the heat of the Prodigal Seelster Summer of Speed Series where Rocker Band and New Year’s Jay lock horns.
The former was a standout winner in the Nelson Cup prelude last Friday at Nelson and looks to have come back in fine fettle this season as a four-year-old mare.
The Mark Jones trained daughter of former New Zealand Trotting Cup winner, Mainland Banner, is unbeaten in two starts but will have to overcome a second line draw over the tricky distance of one mile.
Probably worse off in the barrier stakes however is New Year’s Jay who will start from the outside of the front line.
A winner of this heat last year in emphatic fashion after looking hopeless at the 200m mark, the Amber Hoffman trained mare was off colour when last produced at Addington, but her run prior to that when second on Show Day was stunning.
The pair should fight out the finish of the race although horses like Perissa and Valour Lustre may have something to say about that when they step out onto the track.
Tonight’s meeting will also see the return to Canterbury of rampant Southlander, Costa Del Magnifico.
The Brent Shirley trained pacer, who has won his last four races, has drawn handily and should be able to dominate from the top if that is what Nathan Williamson wants to do.
Drawn directly beside him however, and a potential fly in the ointment, is Field Marshal.
The Tim Butt trained pacer has come back in fine fettle after an extended spell due to various issues. He was fourth behind Quick As A Trick in the Central Otago Trotting Cup last week.
Other chances in feature pacing event include two very in-form pacers in Maverick and Cullect A Guinness.
Both reach their way into the field through the use of junior concessions with Nicole Harris on board Maverick and Matt Purvis driving Cullect A Guinness.
Hug The Wind also resumes in the race for the All Stars stable adding another bit of flavour to the race.
The other intriguing battles comes in the fillies and mares event in which Luisianabelle Midfrew will go head-to-head with Ultimate Desire.
Both upstanding fillies with big futures a win by either would come as a surprise although Ultimate Desire is well served by the barrier draw having picked up three marble after a scratching in favour of Luisianabelle Midfrew who will start from barrier seven.
Nek Time who has shifted into the pole position for the race with the scratching might also slip under the guard.
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