Addington review 26th June

Harness racing review for NZ Metropolitan trotting Club’s meeting held at Addington Raceway on 26th June 2022.

This report focuses on the top four or five placings along with highlighted unlucky runners and better than average efforts from other horses in the race.

Race 1

A big run by Sharp Lou (Sweet Lou) to win heat three of the NZ Amateur Drivers Series after a slow beginning. Sharp Lou was four lengths off the mobile gate at dispatch but zipped around to the lead at the 800m for driver Sheldon Murtha and came clear over the concluding stages to win by six lengths. Songbird battled on for second from a good spot on the outer and Phone Tap who worked hard midrace held on for third ahead of a fast finishing Four Starzzz Shiraz. Battling runs by the remainder.

Race 2

Notasbadasilook (Peak) found the mobile start to his liking and won Race 2 after receiving a good run on the pegs during the running for driver Kimberly Butt. Show The Way ran home well for a bold second and the first two were eight lengths clear of a battling Leningrad in third with gaps to the rest.

Race 3

In heat four of the the NZ Amateur Drivers Series The Hornet (Gold Ace) put in a massive run to win for driver Blair Wilmott. The Hornet was wide and parked for the entire trip but found plenty of reserves to come clear early in the run home and then stave off the challenge of R K Finn who rattled home up the passing lane for second. Glitz And Glam also ran home up the inner for third with Sonny Vista sweeping home out wide for fourth. Hes Santas Excuse looked like running second but galloped late and faded back to fifth. The others only average.

Race 4

Southern trotter Mixed Faith (Father Patrick) put in a good run to win Race 4. Slow away for driver Matthew Williamson, Mixed Faith settled last and was still last into the straight. Meanwhile Silverlinings and  driver John Dunn had slipped clear and looked the winners before Mixed Faith swooped down the outside finally winning by a head at the line. La Reina Del Sur was third two lengths further back with a gap back to the others headed by Night Watch.

Race 5

No Matter Wat (A Rocknroll Dance) rolled home a very easy winner of this race after leading and coming clear to win by 7½ lengths without being touched by driver Olivia Thornley. Of the rest Millwood Melody ran home for second, narrowly beating Watch Me, with a further gap back to Spark It Up and Finders Keepers who were a battling fourth and fifth.

Race 6

The final heat of the NZ Amateur Drivers Series was won here by Happy Place (Rock N Roll Heaven) giving driver Blair Wilmott the title. Happy Place was well driven three deep on the fence and with the fast pace set in front, he easily got over the top of Boarding Call and Jazelle in the run home to record an easy win. Boarding Call’s run for second was good after she settled back and put in a big run from the 700m. She kept fighting for a nice second ahead of the early leader Jazelle who battled at the finish for third. There were gaps back to the rest headed by Smokin Annie.

Race 7

Rank outsider The Black Shadow (Shadow Play) rocked the punters in this race. Well driven on the outer by driver Ross Cameron, The Black Shadow showed too much fight in the straight winning by 1¾ lengths beating a game Hidden Desire who fought like a tiger after sitting parked for the entire journey. Kingsdown Atom ran out of the chasing pack late for third with a gap to the rest headed by Rocknroll Diva.

THE BLACK SHADOW REPLAY

Race 8

Violet Knight (Sir Lincoln) got a narrow but deserved win in this race continuing the good form of driver Robbie Close. Last into the straight Violet Knight flashed home out wide to beat Trouble Supreme who did well late through the middle after clearing traffic. Take A Hike battled on for third after leading ahead of Kilarney Dance in fourth. Janarty looked to have a bit to offer but gave driver John Dunn a hard drive in the run home.

Race 9

Aging trotter Beyond The Horizon (Monarchy) showed there was still some life in the old legs when he whipped home down the outside from well back to win Race 9 for driver Justin Smith. Zsahara held down second after a cozy fence run and Gotta Ticket fought on well for third after trailing. Granny Rose faded late to fourth after leading. Ginas Majesty, Racey Krusa and Cody Banner all made good ground in the run home from back in the field.

Race 10

Megarock (A Rocknroll Dance) managed to get up in race ten at longer odds when he ran home from the good sit on the outer for driver Gerard O’Reilly to grab a brave Styx Sweetie and Jimmy Curtin right on the line. Styx Sweetie was big after sitting parked and Grinning Again ran on from the trail for third with gaps back to the rest headed by Reformed who ran on but was only battling.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media