NZ HARNESS NEWS
Christchurch reinsman Colin DeFilippi is on the verge of a significant milestone and there is a realistic chance he might finally bring it up at Addington tonight (Friday).
The long-time horseman is sitting on 1998 New Zealand driving wins, just two away from joining the elite 2000 club populated by only five other men.
But it’s been a slow stagger to the line for the popular driver – he has only driven two winners in the last three-and-a-half months.
DeFilippi, who drove his first winner in 1974, says he knows the ‘double ton’ will come sooner or later, but he’s fed up with all the waiting.
“I’m getting sick of not bloody getting there, to be honest,” he said with a laugh.
“I used to drive two winners a day and not even think about it, now I can’t even drive one in two months!”
There is light at the end of the tunnel, though, and he hopes he reaches it this week.
“It’s one of the better books I’ve had in quite a while,” he said optimistically.
He makes that familiar drive to Addington on Friday night with three or four decent chances, one of the better ones on paper being his own charge, Izmok, in the first on the card.
The maiden trotter is a half-brother to former Horse of the Year Stent and has racked up six straight placings.
“I thought he was a wee bit tender over the back last week so I had Tommy Behrns (chiropractor) treat him.
“But then it rained all weekend, and Monday, and I had to lunge him instead.
“He’s missed a bit of work, but that will be the case for a lot of them, I suppose.
“He’s not 100 percent, but I’d like to think he’s better than most of them and that makes him a good chance without being a certainty.”
He pairs up with Bruce Negus – whom he met great success with driving Courage Under Fire 18 years ago – in the second of the card, driving Living Legend.
He won an amateur drivers’ race two back and had excuses after getting back last week, so should be in with a chance from the two draw.
“If he’d stuck to the fence last week he might have run in the money.”
“He’s not a very nice horse to drive, but he has hit form and is a chance from the draw.”
Don Pierre is racing in career-best form for trainer Sam Smolenski, and would only need to run up to his recent performances to be a big show in the third on the card.
“He’s a good, tough horse and one you can put in the race.
“I’m looking forward to driving him and he’s probably my best chance on the night.”
Sharnae is fresh-up for a month after galloping twice at Addington last time out, but her run at Timaru the start before was very good and, crucially, she has the ace draw over the sprint trip this week.
“Draw one is a help for her and Brad’s (Mowbray) team is flying at present.”
Veteran trotter Valmagne also has the ace draw for a mobile sprint in the night’s feature race, a Free For All, but he looks up against taking on the exciting Ronald J.
“He seems to go best when racing week after week so after a let-up I’d be surprised if he figured here.”
Rounding out the night for DeFilippi is the Robbie Holmes-trained Bohannan, who was a tough winner on this track last time, and looks a very progressive type.
“Robbie hasn’t said anything yet but I did watch his tapes and he looks like a horse with potential.”
Other members of the 2000-win club are Tony Herlihy, Maurice McKendry, Ricky May, David Butcher and Dexter Dunn, who only achieved the feat last month.
Caption: Colin DeFilippi sits on 1998 New Zealand driving wins ahead of Friday night’s Addington meeting. Photo: Race Images
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
