By Matt Markham
Greg Hope isn’t letting the might of a pacer like Locharburn stop him from thinking that Usain Colt can be a force to be reckoned with in tonight’s feature pace at Addington.
The Woodend Beach horseman, who trains alongside his wife Nina, will line the Harness Jewels runner-up in the Rating 80 and faster handicap pace, against five other runners.
“It looks a nice race for him to be competitive in,” Hope said last night.
“Because he’s still a wee bit one dimensional in the way he races we might need a few things to go our way but I’ve been really happy with him this week.”
Locharburn will be the undoubted favourite for the race, despite having not won in his last eight starts.
The Kevin Chapman trained runner was installed a $2.30 favourite last night by TAB Bookmakers.
Usain Colt opened at $4.80 on the second line of betting with Alta Orlando the next in line at $5.00.
The Hopes will also have a strong hand in the feature trot of the night with Quite A Moment and Gershwin.
The latter is on the path to next week’s Four and Five-Year-Old Trotting Championship but showed he’s not far away with an impressive trial performance behind Marcoola last week at Rangiora.
“He was pretty good judging by the clock, but was still wanting to do the odd thing wrong along the way.
“This week will really tidy him up for next week though.”
Quite A Moment has come through her first run back from Australia in fine fettle and Hope is confident of a big showing from the Group One winner when she steps out tonight.
“She’s come on quite a bit with that run and I’ve been really happy with her so she will run another good race.”
Quite A Moment will have to though with a strong pair from the Paul Nairn barn lining up to try and take the prize.
Wilma’s Mate, who dominated in Australia in the latter stages of last season is back on the track and there will be plenty of interest in how she comes back to it with a bit more age on her side.
Nairn also have Habibti Ivy in the race who is looking to make it three from three this time in.
Wilma’s Mate was $2.70 last night with Habibti Ivy at $4.00.
Despite sitting second on the trainers’ premiership with a healthy 64 wins next to their name, the Hope pair are refusing to buy into the conversation that they could be premiership contenders this season.
They sit two wins behind Robert Dunn currently with another win back from them being held by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
“We aren’t going to have the horsepower over the Winter I don’t think so we aren’t letting it worry us too much.
With a best season tally of 71, the pair do look well on track to usurp that total before August rolls around.
In that time they should also notch up a notable milestone in their career with 500 wins just around the corner.
Greg already has 500 next to his name, but the next one is he and Nina combined.
“It will be nice to achieve when we get there, it’s been a great run.”
The stable also has chances tonight from Burn Off, Unico Legend, Bella Jones and Daiquiri.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Majestic Hurricane, Castlereagh, Well Defined, BJ Lindenny
Race 2: Forgotten Highway, Unico Legend, Bettor To Be Tricky, The Honey Badger
Race 3: Lavros Jack, Arnold, Chevron Express, Needle
Race 4: Articulight, Shineonyoucrazydiamond, The Bachelor, Sans Le Sou
Race 5: Selena Franco, Bella Jones, Midfrew Tarpediem, Late Mail
Race 6: Locharburn, Usain Colt, Benicio, Alta Orlando
Race 7: Quite A Moment, Wilma’s Mate, Habibti Ivy, Belle’s Son
Race 8: Let It Ride, Riccardo, Young Conqueror, Queen Bee Bardon
Race 9: Sugar Cane, Rum In The Sun, Beg Hall, Muscles Galore
Race 10: The Bus, Debnita Rose, Supreme Banner, Sharknado
Best Bet: The Bus (Race 1)
Value: Sugar Cane (Race 9)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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