By Tayler Strong
Harness Racing New Zealand
Greenburn Creek, an upset winner at Oamaru on Sunday is set to back up at Forbury Park on Friday night for a new trainer.
Greenburn Creek has been transferred to Amber Hoffman at Westwood by owner-trainer, Wayne Higgs. Greenburn Creek, who was bought by Higgs in May, was posting his first win since October, 2013 and his seventh altogether.
He was originally entered for a claimer at Forbury Park with a price tag of $5000 but that race was dropped from the programme after attracting four entries. Greenburn Creek is off 20m in a c1 race. His Oamaru win was from the mobile gate but Greenburn Creek has won twice from a stand.
Hoffman’s other good prospects on Friday night in Cerato (race 4), Gyrate and Firebreak (race 9).
Cerato and Gyrate are last start winners at Forbury Park. Cerato has gained his two wins there from five starts. Hoffman felt that Gyrate need his last race to gain confidence.
She has been caring for Firebreak on behalf of John McDermott and the gelding ran third last time.
Tommy Golightly (race 4) is a newcomer to the Hoffman stable. The 8yr-old Dream Away gelding who has not raced for two years won a three-horse trial at Forbury Park on July 4. Tommy Golightly, who has had 72 starts, won a race at Addington in April, 2010 when trained by Andrew Garters.
Tandy Franco (race 3) is back with Forbury Park owner, Daryl Trainor after lead up work with Hoffman. Tandy Franco is resuming from a nine month break. Trainor has Be Me making a fresh start in the same race.
Cicada Jenerik, another Oamaru winner, is in a C1 trot on Friday night. Cicada Jenerik has improved steadily since joining the Mosgiel stable of Darryn Simpson two months ago. The gelding was previously trained by owner, Denis O’Connell.
Katie Cox and Michelle Neilson have the last chance for points to decide the Roger Kingsland Memorial trophy for the most successful female driver at Forbury Park this season. Cox has 42 points, one ahead of Neilson.
Graeme Anderson, who has an unassailable lead in the Pryde’s EasiFeed winter festival trainers’ competition with a UDR of .4643, could embellish his record with High Illusion (race 4). Highview Illusion was a winner two starts back at Forbury Park. Ray Chalklin, of Dunedin has since bought Highview Illusion from Anderson and Highview Standardbreds. Chalklin races the thoroughbred Anzac Star (10 wins).
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