By Duane Ranger
Ron Richardson has lived in Te Awamutu for more than 20 years and tomorrow he has a chance to break his duck on his home-town track.
The 76-year-old has never won a race at his own Waipa meeting but has two very nice chances on the Te Awamutu grass on Wednesday – Thanks Shame and Classie American – in the second and ninth events respectively.
“I got close when we got within a neck of winning the Te Awamutu (grass) Cup back in 2010 with My Elusive Dream, but that’s the closest I’ve got. It’s been elusive all right,” Richardson said.
Richardson ironically works both his horses on his own 1000m track on his Flat Road farm in Te Awamutu. He said he seldom worked the duo on the Te Awamutu track but he did take Classie American to the annual workouts conducted on the track by Harness Racing Waikato on November 26.
“He (Classie American) went real good for a close-up second and then he went on to run fifth and then win at the Manawatu meeting earlier this month. I think he is the better of my two chances tomorrow and can win.
“Thanks Shane never raced in those workouts but went well when finishing second on both days of the Manawatu meeting. It’s going to be hard for him to thread his way through a field of 15 other trotters from his unruly 30m handicap – and for that reason I think he’s more of a place hope,” Richardson said.
After four lifetime starts he said Classie American was starting to fulfill his potential and work out what the pacing game was all about.
“He’s a 3-year-old American Ideal colt out of Classic Vicolo (by Il Vicolo), who also left Classic American, who is an older full brother to my fella.
“Classic American has won 17 races and more than a quarter of a million dollars in Australia. In fact he still holds the track record (mile 1;52) – and that’s even after the recent Inter Dominions,” Richardson said.
Classie American has drawn seven in the 11-horse $6,000 Helen Monkten At O’Sheas Mobile for the R57 to R60 pacers. He will be having his first race on his home track and first attempt at the 1800m mobile.
“I don’t see any reason why he can’t carry on with his Manawatu form. I still haven’t got to the bottom of him yet. His best is still to come,” said Richardson.
As for Thanks Shane he believed that 6-year-old son of Thanksgiving had to do things right and also avoid traffic if he was to notch up his second win in 27 starts.
“He won his only race over the distance and was unplaced in his only start on the track. If he can steer clear of trouble and trot all the way then he can be thereabouts, but it’s not going to be easy from the back mark in a 2100m stand,” Richardson said.
Richardson has trained one winner this season (Classie American last start) and 29 all up in a career spanning back to 1981.
Cambridge reinsman Peter Ferguson will do the driving behind Thanks Shane and Classie American.
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