16 March 2021 | HRNSW MEDIA
UNBEATEN since arriving from New Zealand, classy four-year-old trotter Funky Monkey should go on her winning way when she heads for Menangle this afternoon.
The KerryAnn Morris-trained square-gaiter scored at Gore in New Zealand’s South Island in January before a group of Sydney-based owners bought her and shipped her to Menangle where she has settled in perfectly with a trial win followed by two impressive race wins.
With only five rivals in a heat of the Prydes Easifeed Trotters Foundation series, Funky Monkey has been installed a red-hot $1.40 favourite to add to her record.
One of those part-owners is former ABC and SBS television newsreader Alan Gaskell, an unabashed harness racing fan, who is excited about the prospects of his latest ‘acquisition’.
“I came down from Queensland about 12 months ago to watch the Chariots of Fire and caught up with trainer Tim Butt, who urged me to get back into harness racing,” said Gaskell, who has also served a stint as a director of Harness Racing NSW.
“I took a share in a few horses with him and now I also have a share in this lovely trotter, Funky Monkey, who is trained by KerryAnn and Robbie Morris.
“This mare has only had 11 starts and she was just awesome last week, and I asked reinsman Robbie Morris after the race what he thought and he admitted he didn’t think she was capable of doing what she did in winning.
“She covers the ground so well; is a big mare and she seems to be foolproof.
“I have to say I’ll be disappointed if she doesn’t go on and win today too.”
Gaskell explained that they bought Funky Monkey from the Williamson stable in New Zealand.
“Personally, I think they are the best trotting barn over there,” he said.
With half of today’s program allocated to the square-gaiters, another reinsman will make an all-too-rare visit to Menangle.
Talented ACT reinsman Scotty Osmond hits town to partner a newcomer to his father Ian’s stable in the shape of former Victorian Aztec Inti.
A last start Charlton winner, Aztec Inti has been a consistent placegetter for Ellen Tormey in Victoria and trialled nicely, finishing third behind Lucky Eyes at Canberra before Osmond made the decision to head for Menangle, where he has been kept safe in the betting at $10 in early TAB markets.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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