NZ HARNESS NEWS
CHAMPION driver Dexter Dunn will be a surprise player in Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.
Just days before he finally jets off to for a driving stint in the US, Dunn has answered a call from former Kiwi trainer Tim Butt to drive one of his two runners in Queensland’s biggest race.
Butt faced a dilemma when he changed his mind and opted to run both Miracle Mile winner My Field Marshal and exciting four-year-old Let It Ride.
His driving options were limited it was confirmed Chris Geary, who has driven both Butt’s stable stars, would be aboard Len Smith Mile winner Cruz Bromac this weekend.
“We’d already decided to switch Let it Ride from the 4YO race to the Blacks A Fake and My Field Marshal has scoped clear, so we’ve have the two running,” Butt said.
“Ants (Anthony Butt) has he pick of the drives and he’s some thinking to do now after the draw.”
Let It Ride drew nicely in gate three, but My Field Marshal will again start from the back row (gate 11).
Trainer Kevin Pizzuto didn’t hesitate confirming Cruz Bromac’s trip despite a tiring seventh after leading in a free-for-all at Menangle last Saturday night.
“In retrospect I was too easy on him,” he said. “I’m all over him this week. He worked the place down at Bankstown this morning (Monday) and you’ll see a different horse this weekend. You watch,” he said.
“Sure I’d love to draw the front, but he’s tough and versatile and will still give it a shake even from there (gate 10).”
Last week’s Sunshine Sprint winner Tact Tate, who blasted off the gate to lead before taking a trail and outsprinting them late, will likely try something similar again this week.
The Amanda Turnbull trained-and-driven pacer should be able to zoom across them from gate six and then take a sit on the right horse, who is most likely tough four-year-old Atomic Red (gate four).
Atomic Red has opened the Aussie TAB’s $3.60 favourite from Tact Tate ($4.80) with Let It Ride, Cruz Bromac and My Field Marshal all at $7.50.
Rejuvenated NSW veteran Ultimate Art is another new runner compared to the Sunshine Sprint. The staying distance will mean he should still be competitive despite drawing what will be inside the back row (gate nine).
Ladyship Mile winner Carlas Pixel, who blew her rivals away in the Fleur De Lil for mares’ at Albion Park last week, faces a daunting task against the big boys for the first time now she’s drawn outside the back (gate 13).
BLACKS A FAKE DRAW: Front row: Alleluia, Bodhi Tree, Let It Ride, Atomic Red, Glenferrie Hood, Tact Tact, Celestial Arden. Back row: Hughie Green (emerg), Ultimate Art, Cruz Bromac, My Field Marshal, Ohoka Punter, Carlas Pixel.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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