By Tayler Strong
Pembrook Harry, who staged a colossal run for second at Forbury Park last week, will only need a little in his favour to succeed there on Thursday night.
Pembrook Harry and other members of the Woodend Beach stable of Robert Dunn stable, Music, Van Halem and Mr Meddle, are thriving in the care of stable junior driver Craig Smith and trainer Martin Denton at East Taieri.
The last three won at Forbury Park last Thursday.“ They are loving it here. They are really switched on with the change of environment,’’ said Denton, who jogged the quartet behind a utility vehicle on Wednesday. Smith had to return to Christchurch for a course.
Music, Mr Meddle and Vanhalem won last week. Pembrook Harry finished second, beaten three quarters of a length, after racing three wide for much of the 2200m and hanging in the closing stages.
He is better drawn (two against seven) in the Warren Seyb Memorial Pace over 2200m (mobile) with Dexter Dunn in the sulky.
Dunn is staying with Music in race 10, the Holden SV6 Black Edition Mobile Pace. Music, who unwound brilliantly from back in the field, is capable of overcoming his outside draw.
Smith will drive Mr Meddle in the same race and Nathan Williamson is aboard stablemate Donegal Jimmy Dave, a newcomer to the Forbury Park winter circuit.
Smith will continue his association with Vanhalem (race 9), whom he drove a treat to post his first win last week.
Denton has good prospects in his own right with Och Aye The Noo (race 6), Clifton Tactic (r7) and Stunnin VC (r5).
Och Aye The Noo hinted she was close to a win when third to Pyramid Magic and Grace Lightning last week. Jonny Cox, who has driven her in five of her six wins, takes the reins with Rory McIlwrick staying with Golden Gate.
“I have been very happy with the way she (Och Aye The Noo) has been progressing the last few weeks,’’ said Denton.
Clifton Tactic(r7) won at Forbury Park a fortnight ago at her second start after a third in her other start.
She could capitalise on a good draw against the 2yr-old Baileys Rock, an impressive winner at Forbury Park on May 26.
Stunnin VC (r5) is having her first start. “She is doing everything right but I would have been happier if I had been able to give her another trial,’’ said Denton of the Washington VC 3yr-old filly.
Danielle Amore, the 3yr-old trotting filly, who won impressively at her last start on May 26, has been scratched due to stomach complaint.
“She was not well when we got her in last night and we had to get the vet to her,” said Bev Williamson, whose husband, Phil trains Danielle Amore for Reg and Barbara Caldow.
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