By Matt Markham
Two of New Zealand’s leading harness racing stables have cast their nets far and wide this Boxing Day – nearly 373 kilometres to be exact.
Woodend Beach trainers, who currently sit second and third on the national trainers’ premiership, have a big number of horses racing today across both the harness meetings on offer at Ashburton and Westport.
There’s 12 horses in total wearing the distinctive double blue colours of Greg and Nina Hope while their neighbours, Robert Dunn beat them by one with a team of 13 across the two meetings.
Incidentally both stables have chances in the two features of the day, the Ashburton and Westport Cups.
Mossdale Conner flies the flag for Team Hope on the eastern side of the Island as he continues to look win his second race in almost two years. An improved third behind the in-form Ears Burning last time out showed we might not be too far away from seeing the best version of the former New Zealand Trotting Cup placegetter.
With Ricky May heading to Westport to handle the team over there, the Hopes have tried to keep things as familiar as possible for their Ashburton time by engaging the services of another gold capped driver in Matty Williamson to drive their three chances.
Williamson drove Mossdale Conner last time out and will also pick up the drive on Emily Blunt who he won on at Addington at her last start and also debutant, Gold Sovereign – a full brother to outstanding open class trotter, Sovereignty.
On the Coast, the Hope stable looks particularly strong.
They have two chances in the Westport Cup in Ranfurly Rulz and Burn Off.
The former has local ownership connections, so a win would be a popular result.
The Dunn stable have a leading contender in the race in Say My Name who returns from an enforced layoff after showing plenty of promise in his last campaign.
He also meets the talented Buster Brady who returns off the back of his strong Geraldine victory fresh up.
Dexter Dunn will drive the four-year-old with Blair Orange staying to drive in Ashburton.
Alta Orlando will fly the stable flag at Ashburton in the small, but select Ashburton Cup field with Ross Houghton doing the driving.
There is currently one win separating the two stables with the Hope stable on 34 wins for the season to the Dunn’s 33 winners.
Super Selector – Ashburton – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Ace Commander, Beg For Chevron, Gold Sovereign, Izmok
Race 2: Chloe, Pay Me Interest, Patanjali, Nicky Anew
Race 3: Boults On Fire, Playingintheshadows, I Am Yours, Nearis Green
Race 4: Bailey’s Rock, Culley Backy, Pradas Ideal Dahling, The Valiant
Race 5: Runaway Three, Hilarious Magic, Cullenz Diamond, Lets Rock N Roll
Race 6: Franco Saxon, Christopher Banner, Eh Ef El, Torrid Bromac
Race 7: Maverick, Mossdale Conner, Classie Brigade, Ears Burning
Race 8: American Tart, Miss Daisy, Emily Blunt, RR Sand Dollar
Race 9: Beg Hall, Jean Sebastien, All Lit Up, Don’t Look Back
Race 10: Stars Align, Cable Beach, Nolan Sackett, Pay Me Way
Best Bet: Chloe (Race 2)
Value: Maverick (Race 7)
Super Selector – Westport – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Returntorocknroll, Dali’s Masterpeice, Indie, Supreme Harmony
Race 2: Lord Roydon, War Spirit, Ronald J, Michelle
Race 3: Warloch, Smooth Mara, Shark Attack, Samarias Falcon
Race 4: Franco Tmick, Franco Lamar, Dream To Reality, JJ’s Delight
Race 5: Helena Ideal, Garry’s Legacy, Li Na, Master Jordy
Race 6: Jonty James, Precious Sara, Midfrew Tarpediem, Monet Grace
Race 7: Buster Brady, Say My Name, Johnny Eyre, Ranfurly Rulz
Race 8: Sarah Palin, Medusa, Royal Shine, My Armour
Race 9: Earthquake, Wobbegong, Young Mister Grace, Danse Macabre
Race 10: Sails, Knockmanaugh, Extreme Spark, Lottie Franco
Best Bet: Lord Roydon (Best Bet)
Value: Sails (Race 10)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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