By Matt Markham
The first 60 metres will be just as important as the remaining 2750 metres for talented pacer McArdle Star when he tackles the Motukarara Xmas Cup on Tuesday.
The Ken Barron trained, Blair Orange driven four-year-old was the victim of his own demise when last produced at Methven earlier in the month – missing away from the stand start only to stage a massive recovery to finish fourth in what was a very good field of pacers.
So catching the big son of McArdle on the right foot will be the key to his chances in the grass track feature at one of New Zealand racing’s largest country race meetings of the season.
Thousands flock to the Motukarara raceway for the meeting which is a must attend event of any summer in Christchurch.
The Barron and Orange combination have two other strong hopes on the big card with Anna Ivy looking tough to toss in a maiden event earlier in the day while Livadia looks a strong each-way hope based on his last start win at Rangiora.
He contests the final of the Wakefield & Williams Grass Track Championship Final for horses who have competed at meetings on grass track meetings around the Canterbury region over the past month.
That race looks set to be dominated by the talented Millie’s Creek from the in-form Tim Butt stable.
A winner at Geraldine and then at Methven the Bettor’s Delight mare will have the services of Jonny Cox.
Terry Chmiel endured a slow start to the season, not winning his first race until the end of November but in the four weeks since the Geraldine meeting he’s added a further five winners to lift his tally to a more respectable total of six wins.
That figure should increase by the end of today’s meeting with Chmiel holding a number of winning chances – including three handy drives from the Malcolm Shinn stable.
They combine with handy mare Royal Counsel in the Motukarara Cup. She finished third behind the very much in-form Cullect A Guiness at Rangiora nine days ago with that form franked by the Robert Dunn trained pacer when he won the Westport Cup on Boxing Day.
The daughter of Gotta Go Cullect will be the subject of some hefty support from her front line barrier draw in what is a very even affair for the higher grade pacers.
Chmiel and Shinn will also combine during the day with Art Exhibit and Mighty Empire – both of whom are capable of getting in on the action on their best day.
Dexter Dunn, who has already picked up seven winners since the beginning of Boxing Day, will again be hopeful of a profitable day in the sulky with a strong book of 10 drives including strong winning chances from Give Me Strength, Secret Notion, Lightning Mach and Bettor Be A Lady.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
