by Duane Ranger
Willie Fleming was an hour away from making the arduous 420km journey from Hawera to Alexandra Park when asked to comment about his two runners at Alex Park tonight (Friday).
It’s a six hour float drive Fleming has become accustomed to since he took out his trainer’s licence in the early 1990s. At lunch time (Thursday) Fleming was just about to load Rory McIlroy and Rangi Rangdu, but in true ‘Taranaki fashion’ he didn’t hesitate talking to HRNZ.
“It will be good to have ‘Rory’ back racing again after three months away from the track. He is travelling up with his training mate Rangi Rangdu. We will stop over at Ron and Shirley Bassett’s galloping stable in Cambridge to break the trip down,” Fleming said.
Even though he hasn’t raced since March 17 and has drawn two on the second line, Rory McIlroy should still start one of the favourites in the $13,500 Ritchies Bus & Coach NZ Mobile for the R47 to R60 pacers. Rory McIlroy is rated 56.
“It’s hard to get a gauge on him because he only works with his stablemate down here. He’s a nice horse when right – better than average. He can win first up because he raced against nicer fields last campaign and acquitted himself okay.
“No matter what happens he will strip better for the run. His only win came on the track,” Fleming said.
That was also over the 2200m mobile back on October 7. That night Rory McIlroy and David Butcher beat Wrangler by a head stopping the clock in 2:47.3 (mile rate 2:02.3) and home in 57.7 and 29.2.
Rory McIlroy has been lining up against quality pacers like Jewels winner Jack’s legend, Star Galleria, Sporing Campaign, Step Up, Don Domingo and Mac Phactor. There are no horses of that quality in tonight’s field.
“He suffered from a sore back and I had it treated and he seems to have bounced back well, He’s got the ability to win a few more races. He’s been working well and looks well, he’s as healthy as he has ever been,” said co-owner, Fleming.
“He’s the best of my two chances. Scott (Phelan) will drive him well, I’m sure,” he added.
Rory McIlroy is a three-year-old Grinfromeartoear gelding, who is the second of two foals out of the maiden Presidential Ball mare, River Tango. He was bred by the late Brian Fleming.
“I’ve always had a bit of time for him and I think he will make a fairly nice four-year-old. He doesn’t have that ole niggly injury any more so I’m hoping for a good campaign this time around.
“He seems happy within himself and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went close first up. He has been feeling good,” Fleming said.
Jacob Wallace will drive Rangi Rangdu in the fourth event for junior drivers – the $8,000 Rutherford Rede Mobile for the up to R56 pacers.
“He’s just a runner’s chance from one on the second line. If the gaps open up at the right time he could get some of it. I wouldn’t be bringing him all that way if I didn’t think he could get a cheque.”
Fleming said the two horses would return to Cambridge after the races, before leaving Cambridge on Saturday.
“Depending on how Rangi Rangdu goes I might bring ‘Rory’ back for the meeting in Auckland on the 14th of July, and then race ‘Rangi’ at Cambridge two days later on the Sunday.
“First things first though. I’d love to win two races on Friday. If ‘Rory’ doesn’t win this week he will be much better for the run and should nail his second win at short notice,” Fleming said.
“He goes better the Alexandra Park way around,” he added.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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