By Duane Ranger
Bulls trainer Doug Gale says he has several winning prospects at Thursday’s Hawera meeting, but rated none of them as ‘exceptional standouts’.
Gale will line up 11 pacers at the Hawera Harness Racing Club’s meeting on the grass.
He has two runners in the feature event in race seven – the $7,000 Stratford Trotting Club 2016 February Raceday Handicap for the C3 and faster pacers.
Brainstormer (5) and Gwendene (10m) will be driven by Allen Pyers and Jay Abernethy respectively in that 2100m stand, but believes he has a better winning chance in race nine.
“If I did have to single one out it would be probably be Franco Lennox. He’s been going some nice races and if he can get some luck from the second line he can win,” Gale said.
Here’s what Gale had to say about all 11 of his starters:
Race 2: Glendene (6) Jay Abernethy – “He’s a 5-year-old making his debut. He qualified in a field of three (winner in a 2:08.2 mile rate) at Palmerston North last month so he doesn’t have experience with horses around him. He has ability but this will be a learning curve for him.”
Race 3: Mitchell McKah (10) Jay Abernethy – “He’s another 5-year-old making his debut and is a similar boat to Glendene – only this fella has copped the second row draw. He will take a race or two to find his feet. The noise and atmosphere or other horses and people around him will all be new to him.” Footnote: Mitchell McKay finished a neck second behind Glendene in that same trial on November 13. They beat the qualifying mark by more than four seconds.
Race 6: Bennyandthejets (6) Sailesh Abernethy – “He hasn’t raced since February so he will improve with the run. He has had a few foot issues during his spell and we haven’t been able to put as much work into him as what we would have liked. I’d expect a big improvement in him with racing.”
Race 7: Brainstormer (6) Allen Pyers – “He’s racing well and was a nice third at Manawatu last start. However this is his first start from a stand. If he is handy he can go close. He hasn’t had much luck and he can’t seem to get a decent draw.”
Race 7: Gwendene (10m) Jay Abernethy – “She’s having her first race since but has only been out of the money three times in 17 grass track starts. She’s had a couple of hit-outs at Palmerston North so I’d expect her to improve with the run. I’m happy with her fitness but the race will give me a good gage as to where she is exactly at. It depends on how quick they go.”
Race 8: P TOMADO (2) Andre Poutama (j) – “He’s got a very good grass track record but then again he also goes well on the Manawatu all-weather track. He has the draw to be in the money.”
Race 8: All That Glitters (4) Andrew Drake (j) – “She is racing consistently well at present and as long as she handles the grass she should be in this race. She was interfered with when she finished seventh two starts back and as you can see by her form-line she is always in the money. I expect her to be quite competitive in this.”
Race 9: Starry Delight (1) Sailesh Abernethy – “She’s been experiencing seasonal difficulties so I’m not sure if we will get the best out of her on Thursday. She’s working okay and has a nice draw but I think she could be a better proposition later in the summer.”
Race 9: Franco Lennox (10) Jay Abernethy – “He’s been racing real well at Manawatu and he has beaten horses like Jet Black Shadow, which is now racing at Alexandra Park. He’s got a good grass track record and will only need some luck from the second line to be a threat here. I’m just hoping there’s no trouble across the crossing and he can steer clear of trouble. I’m real happy with him and expect a bold run.”
Race 10: Real Courage (6) Sailesh Abernethy – “She’s a 3-year-old filly having her first start on the grass. It will be interesting to see how she handles it. She went a bit rough down the back straight at Manawatu last start but won well there the start prior. This is just her fifth start and first away from Manawatu.”
Race 10: Ard (10) Jay Abernethy – “He had his bloods checked and things seem okay. He’s better than what he has shown us lately and hopefully he can bounce back on Thursday.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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