By Matt Markham
His best may have succumb to injury, but Sam Smolenski is well on the way to finding her a replacement.
The talented young horseman has, for now, lost the services of his smart trotting mare Sunny Ruby after she pulled up sore following her Anzac Cup performance a fortnight.
The Group One winning mare has since returned to the Australian stable of Sonya Smith to undergo her rehabilitation leaving Smolenski back here in New Zealand trying to replace her.
With 12 wins on the board for the term, he may not quite reach his mark of 21 from last season, but Smolenski does have a handy looking team of horses running around as we head into winter so it’s not completely out of the realms of possibility.
There are five runners to get excited about tonight including the ever-consistent trotter, Royal Shine.
The son of Monarchy, who has now won seven races, was very good winning at Ashburton last Saturday with Dexter Dunn in the bike and meets a field today no stronger than what he raced last week.
Blair Orange will handle the driving duties on the five-year-old.
Smolenski will also start maiden trotter Gambling On who has any amount of ability tucked away for use, but the bag of tricks hiding away are also quite impressive.
The Monkey Bones filly from Spot On Gamble was a very good second last time out behind Greenandwhite and a similar performance tonight will net a good result. Smolenski will make a rare appearance in the sulky behind the filly.
Majestic Moment, who broke maidens two starts back, will also have a bowl around tonight with Smolenski’s brother-in-law, Stevie Golding handling the driving duties for owners The Tuesday Night syndicate and Maree Smolenski.
Rounding out the team for the night is impressive winner from last week, Sails who will be joined by stablemate, Don Pierre in the last of the night.
The five-year-old daughter of Washington VC was brilliant winning last week after doing work in the race before dashing up the lane for Katie Cox in the junior drivers event.
Jimmy Curtin jumps back in the bike tonight and has struck up a good association with the daughter of City Of Sails but the pair will have to come from off the outside of the second line.
Addington Selections
Race 1: Reign On Me, Sugar Cane, Daiquiri, All Settled Down
Race 2: Rocknroll Princess, Lanikai, Late Mail, Franco Saxon
Race 3: Gambling On, Celtic Thunder, Idle Moose, Jedi Josh
Race 4: The Devil’s Own, Spankem, All You Need Is Faith, Mach Shard
Race 5: Cable Beach, Jack’s Legend, Queen Bee Bardon, Don Domingo
Race 6: Lavros Jack, Royal Shine, Valmagne, Doctor Bones
Race 7: A G’s White Socks, Raukapuka Ruler, Ears Burning, Buster Brady
Race 8: Rum In The Sun, Gin Rummy, Time For Diamonds, Dusky Eyre
Race 9: One For Granny, Bubble Gum, Honour The Bet, Dodge Phoenix
Race 10: Zimfandel, Sails, Highland Reign, Gunpowder
Best Bet: Reign On Me (Race 1)
Value: Rum In The Sun (Race 8)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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