By Matt Markham
Wilma’s Mate and The Smoocha will head to today’s Reefton meeting as the leading chances to pick up the annual $5,000 West Coast Bonus as the only unbeaten horses after two days of racing on the annual circuit.
The bonus, which has been in operation for years and was originally awarded to the horse who could win on all three days of the trip, is now worked out via a points based system which sees, this year, eight horses still in serious contention of taking home the chocolates.
But due to winning on both days at Westport, it’s The Smoocha and Wilma’s Mate who everyone else needs to chase down.
The former was emphatic winning on both days for trainer and driver Jimmy Curtin but will have to do it the hard way by winning the Reefton Cup today against a strong field of intermediate grade pacers including Westport winners; Cullect A Guiness and Seel The Deal as well as his in-form stablemate, Star Of Dionysis.
Wilma’s Mate on the other hand might find things a little simpler.
The Pegasus Spur three-year-old filly beat the same opposition she will face today on Monday and with the added bonus of it being a penalty free win she remains on the same mark.
The David and Catherine Butt trained filly was outstanding winning on both days at Westport and looks to have come back in fine fettle from what was a promising two-year-old campaign last season.
She won’t get it all her own way though with Eilish Aimee pushing her close on Monday while the enigmatic Willie Shine joins the fold as a fresh runner to the circuit for Robbie Holmes.
Other horses with a chance at the bonus thanks to picking up a win and a second on the two days thus far include; Cocktail Waiter, Bettor Be Smooth, Riga Doon, Bettor In The Dark and Idealindiamonds.
Also up for grabs at the completion of today’s meeting is the annual trainer’s and driver’s prize for the circuit.
The trainers prize, which carriers a purse of $2,000, is a closely run affair.
After the two days at Patterson Park, Margo Nyhan is in the box seat although the competition is right behind her.
Robert Dunn (22), Jimmy Curtin (21) and David and Catherine Butt (20) are all in a position to leap frog Nyhan at today’s meeting should they get the desired result.
She has eight chances on the card with realistic winning hopes coming from Lyin Eyes, Midnight Flyer, Game Changer and trotters The Zigmeister and Sarah Palin.
Curtin also has a strong book with Alice Springs likely to break maidens after two seconds thus far and other chances like The Smoocha and Star Of Dionysis.
The Butt stable will also get their chance via Idealindiamonds, Wilma’s Mate and even Billy Jack who was very good on the first day of the circuit.
Robert Dunn’s chances will be pinned on Eilish Aimee and Cullect A Guiness both of whom will be driven by his son John who is the clear leader of the drivers’ competition from Ricky May.
Dunn sits with 39 points while May, who didn’t win a race on the first day but was in fine form on Monday is in second on 29 points while Curtin is the next best on 23.
Points for all three competitions are based on 5 points for first, 3 for second, 2 for third and 1 for fourth.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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