NZ HARNESS NEWS
Veteran Canterbury reinsman Colin DeFilippi is still a strong chance of notching career win 2000 at Addington on Thursday night, despite Don Pierre being scratched on Wednesday after being sold.
“I thought he was one of my better drives, then Faye Fletcher (owner and wife of trainer Fred) rang to say he’d been sold and was coming out,” DeFilippi said.
He is bidding to join current top drivers Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Ricky May, David Butcher and Dexter Dunn in the 2000-win club.
DeFilippi was on track to crack the NZ milestone last week when Izmok won the first. His next best result was with second-placed maiden pacer Sharnae.
He now thinks his best chances tomorrow could be in the faster-class trot races with Cuddly Jess and Petite One.
“Cuddly Jess goes good in mobile races so she looks one of my better ones now.”
The five-win mare is one of five he’s driving for West Melton trainer Michael House.
He says good mare Petite One could be a chance in the Christchurch Casino Handicap Trot.
Formerly with the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen All Stars stable, Petite One posted a national mares’ 3200m record of 4:04.9 on NZ Cup day in 2015.
She returned from a two-year layoff with Woodend beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope and was placed in two of four starts during May-July. The small field should aid her chances from a 30m handicap.
DeFilippi’s remaining drives are for the Michael House stable.
House has Royal Jester and Port Delight both in the first, but both are drawn badly.
Royal Jester, who last won at Forbury in June, should appreciate a drop back in class and could be a place chance for De Filippi, if he can work forward with a minimum of effort.
Jonny Cox will drive Port Delight, who resumed from a five-month spell with a second to the classy Angel Of Harlem at the Ashburton workouts on August 8.
Long-time maiden Hannah Extreme will need some luck from a wide gate for De Filippi in race three.
Shillelagh has a good record fresh and is a winning chance in an open line-up in race six.
He also handles in-form Kamwood Kid in the last, but will need luck from a wide draw, with Martin John and Alta Shelby big chances.
SELECTIONS:
RACE 1: Man Of Steel 1, Royal Jester 2, Handlebar Hank 3, Russian Express 4.
RACE 2: Honeys Son 1, Show Of Faith 2, Still Eyre 3, Topnotch Titan 4.
RACE 3: Matau Gem 1, Miss Patriot 2, Real Obsession 3, My Nikayla 4.
RACE 4: Van Laddie 1, Missinmemate 2, Gabby’s Star 3, Reaza Grunter.
RACE 5: Medusa 1, Rum In The Sun 2, Cuddly Jess 3, Idle Moose 4.
RACE 6: Shillelagh 1, Clive 2, Black Art 3, Amazon Lily 4.
RACE 7: Spondulicks 1, Karmic Way 2, Zion Bromac 3, Rockaball 4.
RACE 8: Petite One 1, Donsmedad 2, Sundons Flyer 3, Donegal Bettorgretch 4.
RACE 9: Martin John 1, Gunpowder 2, Alta Shelby 3, For The Corz 4.
Best Bet: Martin John (R10).
Longshot: Rocknroll Nevin (R1).
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
