By Matt Markham
The platform has been set and now Sam Ottley’s keen to keep building on it.
New Zealand’s leading reinswoman last season, Ottley has made a solid start to defending that title in the new term with three wins on the board already.
That number could get close to tripling by the end of racing tonight at Addington if things fall her way with a strong book of drives at Harness HQ.
Claiming mare Perissa leads that charge.
The dour mare was a strong victor over the same opposition, from the same draw, at Rangiora a fortnight ago and under the same conditions a similar result is expected.
“She’s pretty well suited to the claiming grade,” Ottley said.
“And racing the same horses gives us a bit of an advantage because we know what they are capable of.
“She was so good off the gate the other day that I think we have to look to get forward again and try and dominate it although it might not be quite so easy.
“The good thing about her is that you know she will just keep on giving.”
In a similarly rich vein of form is Croft Bay.
Ottley has been pretty hard on herself all week for the drive on the gelding when he finished third, but there didn’t appear to be much more she could have done in the circumstances.
“I’ve been kicking myself about that one a bit. It wasn’t one of my best.
“But it happens sometimes and hopefully that means everything is going to go our way this week.
“He’s going so well at the moment so he should be competitive again but it is a pretty strong field with plenty of chances.”
Ottley also has strong hopes tonight with Stole The Show, Ella Lavra and Happy Ever Laughter.
Her form has been on a surge since her Harness Jewels victory in June last season.
Rocker Band, who gave her that Jewels victory, began her next preparation yesterday at the Rangiora trials.
The fledgling mare was given a quiet time of it by Ottley but felt good and strong.
“It was a bit of a stop start affair, but we got around safely and she pulled up well which was all we wanted out of it.”
Locharburn was the star attraction of the day though winning a tidy field consisting of a number of Trotting Cup contenders including Tiger Tara and Franco Nelson.
The Kevin Chapman trained pacer won out from Cullect A Guinness in the hands of Dexter Dunn with a last 800 metres in close to 56 seconds.
Sunny Ruby left tongues wagging with her seven length victory in the feature trot.
Super Selector – Addington Thursday – By Matt Markham
Race 1: McClinchie, Gunpowder, Imola, Burn Off
Race 2: Kash Valley, November Guy, Fatal Reunion, Shay Scott
Race 3: Carter Michael, Shineonyoucrazydiamond, Never Say Never, Afterdinnerspeaker
Race 4: Rummage, Omar Sharif, Shes’a Tricky Bridge, Aveross Brachole
Race 5: Nic Mac Willy, Perissa, Cullen’s Lady, Vanhalem
Race 6: Dana Duke, Stunin Dude, Croft Bay, Ranfurly Rulz
Race 7: Jean Sebastien, Twelve Monkeys, Redwood Invasion, Ruthless Success
Race 8: Major Rocket, Cullenz Diamond, Stole The Show, Hannah Extreme
Race 9: The Publisher, Linda’s Cullen, Benji Mara, Mega Watt
Best Bet: McClinchie (Race 1)
Value: Carter Michael (Race 3)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
