Ex-Kiwi pacer can bounce back into the winners circle

Punters usually have long memories.

And they will be holding their collective breath again today (Nov. 20) when the shortest-priced harness racing favourite at today’s Menangle meeting faces the starter.

Unhoppled pacer Wavethebill (Net Ten EOM) will be odds-on in Race 7, despite the fact the former Kiwi was beaten by a mere 131 metres at the same track and distance last week.

Yet his reinsman Robbie Morris suggests the talented pacer can bounce back into the winners’ circle . . . as long as he doesn’t lose focus on the task at hand.

“He sort of lost his concentration last week,” Morris told National Trotguide on-line’s Mike Ko’cass.

“And being a free-legged pacer he just cannot afford to do that.

“His work since has been first-class and we go into today’s race confident he can bounce back.

“Most horses need hopples but KerryAnn feels if a horse can go without them, like this bloke does, then he’s actually stronger.

“We’re hoping last week was just a one-off thing.

“He actually got down pretty quickly last week but I still thought we could win, so I sort of rushed him a bit and he galloped again.

“If he does everything right he’ll be tough to beat.”

Morris also feels Parallel (Sportswriter) can fire.

“He’s knocking on the door; there was a race abandoned there a couple of weeks ago and he was first home,” he said.

“I think he’s ready to win now and gets his chance today.”

Morris has had another great year in the bike with 150 winners while his wife KerryAnn’s stables have trained 151 winners and hold a 39-win lead over Steve Turnbull in the statewide premiership.

Another of the season’s ‘finds’ has been Grace Panella who sits fourth in the concession drivers table behind the likes of Jack Callaghan, Josh Gallagher and Blake Hughes.

Panella is based in the Hunter Valley which probably limits her opportunities but heads to Menangle today with a couple of good chances for one of her mentors, trainer Darren Binskin.

With 71 winners already this season, Panella will drive Arabella Star, the $2.50 favourite in Race 5, despite being drawn out in gate six.

The former mini trots star will also partner Backintown, the $4 third favourite in Race 8, and also trained by Binskin.

Previous trained by David Thorn, Backintown had a stint with the Chantal Turpin stable in Queensland before joining Binskin’s barn last month.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales