By Duane Ranger
Look for a form reversal from the Matthew Pemberton trained Realmein in the feature trot at Alexandra Park tonight.
The Patumahoe horseman said the 8-year-old Real Desire – Cullermein gelding took an extra week to recover from a hard Rowe Cup run on April 28, where he copped the awkward nine draw.
“It’s just going to be nice for once to race the opposition on even terms. It can be a bit demoralising having to start him week in and week out from long marks,” Pemberton said.
In fact his Rowe Cup run aside (14th), Realmein has started from 40m, 30m and 30m in his last three starts.
“The week before the Rowe Cup he looked and felt a million dollars, but the run took it out of him and he’s needed till now to recover.
“He’s back to where I want him to be now. Back to his old self. He’s ready to run a race in conditions that finally suit him,” Pemberton said.
Regular pilot, Philip Butcher will drive Realmein from gate six (of six) in the $14,999 Riordan & West Mobile for the R75 to R95 trotters. Realmein is the highest ranked trotter in the field with a R95 rating – seven more than K D Hall (5).
Realmein has won 13 of his 81 starts ($196,451) – 10 of which have been at Alexandra Park, including one from behind the mobile arm.
“The small field will help, but in saying that he is the fastest horse from his previous back marks in the field.
“You can never be too confident in racing, but he’s ready for this,” Pemberton said.
Toughest for Realmein to beat will be the Robert Dunn trained and Maurice McKendry driven Yagunnakissmeornot.
The 5-year-old brown Love You mare recorded a nice second behind Gentleman Sir on the same track a fortnight.
Meanwhile the pacing feature – the $14,999 Marlin Transport Mobile for the R67 to R76 pacers should see the Logan Hollis & Shane Robertson trained and Philip Butcher driven Big Mach make it three wins in a row.
The 3-year-old Mach Three gelding, who has drawn five (of eight) tonight, was stylish when winning from gate nine here a fortnight ago. That victory came a month after scoring from gate three.
Don’t discount the Robbie Hughes trained and Ben Butcher (j) driven Red Magic from the luxury one draw.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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