NZ HARNESS NEWS
There will be emotion around the stables at Addington on Friday night when promising mare, Miss You, starts her new campaign.
The Gerard O’Reilly trained four-year-old will start her season in a strong fillies and mares event on a blockbuster card of racing.
But sadly, one familiar face will not be there to cheer her on.
One of Miss You’s part-owners, Ashburton farmer Bernie Davidson, died last week after a battle with illness.
O’Reilly hopes the mare who gave Davidson so much joy does him proud.
“We’ll have a black armband on this week to pay our respects,” the trainer said said.
“It’s been a pretty sad few days but I know he got a bit of joy out of watching her race.”
Miss You is now raced in the estate of Davidson, his wife Barbara and good friends Mark and Sally Lemon.
Davidson was an active member of the Methven Trotting Club and always held a keen interest in the harness racing scene.
He also raced four-win trotting mare, Anonymiss from O’Reilly’s stable with the Lemons.
Friday night’s resumption will not be an easy task for Miss You and O’Reilly is most definitely not heading into the race feeling overly confident.
However he is expecting a forward performance.
“She’s comeback in really well this time, that wee bit of time out has helped her a lot and she feels a lot stronger.
“She’s had two really nice trials to get ready for this week and while she will certainly get better with the race under her belt, she’s a live chance this week.”
Miss You is a winner of three of her 14 career starts as well as placing in five other appearances.
The mare was too strong for a classy trial heat Rangiora last week where she had the better of Stars Tonight, Nakuru, Lady Chatto and Heisenberg.
Friday night will see her taking on some exciting types as well, including Queen Bee Bardon, Bettor’s Heart and Dizzy Miss Lizzy.
O’Reilly said the main aim early in the campaign was to have the mare in fine fettle for New Zealand Cup Day.
The premier meeting is already looking promising for the Rakaia horseman.
He has got feature race drives on Ronald J and also Bettor Getta Lover to get excited about judging by their most recent performances.
– NZ Harness News
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