By Tayler Strong
Broadfield horseman Colin De Filippi makes a rare trip to Forbury Park on Thursday night to continue his association with Missandei in the Speight’s Handicap Trot.
De Filippi has driven Missandei to win at Ashburton and Addington at her last two starts.
She has been trained for those wins by Bruce Negus, who took over 3yr-old Angus Hall – Pocaro filly two months ago. Missandei, owned by Trevor Casey, won the Harness Jewels at Ashburton 12 months ago from the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen stable.
She also won twice at Maryborough for Brent Lilley and finished second to High Gait in the Redwood Classic. She is 12th in order of qualification for the HJ on June 4.
Spotlight The Valley, a winner at Forbury Park last week, could be the hardest for Missandei to beat.
Pegarose, the 3yr-old trotting filly, who won last week, has the chance for a penalty free win in the palaMountains Scientific Nutrition Trot.
Cuddly Jess, who has been racing well in stronger company, rates highly among her rivals.
Lightning Mach is the best performed horse in the Concord Inn Mobile Pace, a c3-5 free-for-all, suggesting she will not be deterred by a wide draw. She has won three of her four starts at Forbury Park.
The most recent was in October, 2014 when she won by three lengths. The Cran Dalgety-trained mare has since won another five races.
A bold run fresh up is on the cards for Harry Mac in the Hydroflow Distributors Mobile Pace.
Harry Mac has had four workouts in a fresh preparation and he finished second to Democrat Party at Ascot Park on Sunday. He has not raced for 16 months.The rising 8yr-old has been restricted to 18 starts.
He won three races at Alexandra Park from seven starts when trained by Barry Purdon. He was then away from racing for 12 months with a virus before resuming with Nathan Williamson for whom he won twice at Waikouaiti as a 5yr-old.
“He had six months off after he last raced and he was coming to hand again when he was struck with a virus,’’ said Williamson. “ I am happy with him but he may need a race or two to come up.’’
Belkmyster, winner of 11 races for the Met Seven syndicate, leaves for Sydney on Friday to join the stable of John McCarthy. Graeme Anderson, who trained Belkmsyter for his last seven wins, recommended sending Belkmyster to Australia.
The 6yr-old Mach Three – Operative Asset gelding has had four minor placings in 11 starts this season, among them a last start fourth behind Christen Me in the Rangiora Classic.
Belkmyster won the group three $47,000 Classic last year. Belkmyster will be raced in Australia by most of the members of Met Seven syndicate.
He had his first four wins from the stable of Cran Dalgety, who bought him for $34,000 at the 2011 premier yearling sale when he was offered by Steve Baucke. Belkmsyter has amassed $124,951 in stakes.
Terrorway joined the McCarthy stable in 2011 after winning his six starts for Anderson and Amber Hoffman. Terrorway has won another 11 races, including the gr one The Blacks A Fake in Brisbane and a Cranbourne Cup.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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