By Matt Markham
The absence of a couple of big names from the driving ranks in Canterbury for the first month of the new season leaves Gavin Smith in a position to pick up where he left off.
The North Canterbury horseman, who broke new ground last season with his 61 winners in the sulky, will drive the majority of the Robert Dunn stable over the next few weeks while John Dunn is in Australia with the Breeders Crown bound Franco Cristiano.
That coupled with John’s brother Dexter being away will is creating an opportunity for Smith that he’s keen to make the most of.
“It’s nice to be given the opportunity to drive a lot of their team,” Smith said.
“They’ve got a strong racing team at the moment so hopefully we can pick up a few winners along the way and kick things off strongly.”
The fill-in role begins tonight at Addington where Smith will drive three members of the Robert Dunn team as well as two of his own runners.
The ever consistent Kotare Kasai looks the best of the Dunn team.
“I thought he was my best chance of the weekend, his last run was very good.
“He came wide and from a long way back and just kept giving, he should be pretty hard to beat.”
Kotare Kasai opened up a $2.50 favourite last night with TAB Bookmakers.
Cool Changes and Donegal Jimmy Dave are Smith’s other drives for the Woodend Beach based Dunn stable.
From his own quarters, Oona will be looking to make it three in a row when she tackles a good even field in one of the Super Series Finals.
The Trevor Casey owned and bred mare has put it all together in her last two efforts and looks to be right on the top of her game.
“She’s trotting really well at the moment, we seem to, hopefully, be past a lot of the issues we had early on with her.
“This is a bit of a step up though but her work this week has been very good and if she does everything right I’m sure she will give a good account of herself.”
The race features a number of winning chances with Brads Kenny, Hey Yo, The Silver Fox, King of the Roses and Jean Sebastien all expected to be right in the fight.
Smith is preparing to drive his stable’s second runner, Allison Stokke, a little more forward tonight in the first of the three Super Series Finals.
She takes on the talented Stars Align and impressive last start winner, Lloydin Magic in what is a very strong field.
The other Super Series Final is arguably the race of the night with the All Stars pairing of Mr Mojito and Superfecta set to battle it out.
Both registered impressive wins last week on the track although Mr Mojito does seem to have a the bigger repuatation.
Breeders Crown bound mare, Luisanabelle Midfrew will complete her preparations before her overseas venture in a C2, C3 and C4 1950 mobile.
The Nigel McGrath trained mare will start from the outside of the front line but is expected to be too good for her opposition.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Fulham Royale, Waihemo Art, Franco Caliph, Tufflittlerooster
Race 2: Kashana, McClinchie, Dreamy Damien, Woosh Factor
Race 3: Stars Align, Franco Saxon, Lloydin Magic, Luciano
Race 4: November Guy, Kash Valley, Sunny Bill, Zoned Scarlett
Race 5: Mr Mojito, Superfecta, Courage To Live, Mrs Browns Boys
Race 6: Luisanabelle Midfrew, Aquickone, Atchoo, Run To Hide
Race 7: Kotare Kasai, Nicky’s Logic, Millies Creek, Thisgirlisonfire
Race 8: Jean Sebastien, Hey Yo, The Silver Fox, King Of The Roses
Race 9: Mach’s Terminator, Sans Le Sou, Extreme Guest, Flyin Heather
Race 10: Cullenz Diamond, Flyingretna, Michelangelo, Living Glory
Best Bet: Stars Align (Race 3)
Value: Jean Sebastien (Race 8)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
