Stratford looking to carry on good form at Cromwell

Gore harness racing trainer Tony Stratford after scoring a double on his home track last Sunday, will hope to continue his winning streak when he takes a team of five to the Wyndham Harness Racing Club’s meeting on the grass at Cromwell on Friday (Feb 24).

Stratford’s days starts with Judicate (Father Patrick) in Race One.

“Unfortunately she keeps making errors. I think she probably would have won the other day if she hadn’t galloped down the back so it was a huge run (5th). If anything we are improving and she only made one mistake the other day. No mistakes on Friday and I think she’d almost be winning,” Stratford said.  

In Race Five Is He Watching Me (He’s Watching) lines up for the stable. She won nicely last weekend on the grass in her first start for Stratford but draws two from the outside in Friday’s race. She was previously trained by Brian Norman.

“We’ve worked her like any other horse since we’ve had her. She’s a nice wee mare and I like her actually. She’s willing and does everything right. She’s up in grade but I don’t think it’s an overly strong field, so I think she’ll be an each way chance.”  

In Race Seven Viburnum (Panspacificflight) gets the services of inform junior driver Max Hill and runs from gate one.

“He was very very unlucky on Sunday because he never got clear air. The driver (Brad Williamson) told me that he was a certainty beaten. There is a Canterbury horse in there (Mo’unga) that looks quite smart and whether my horse is up to that level we’ll find out.” 

The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheddar) drops in class after running against the likes of Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) and With Style (Bettor’s Delight) at his last start a month ago.

“He’s a pretty good horse this guy. I rate him highly and he’s my best bet.”

Stratford’s day is rounded out with Tuneinsportsfans (Sportswriter) who gets a second line draw in Race Ten.  After breaking at the start last weekend he made up heaps of ground to run third behind stablemate Vincent Can Gogh (Vincent). 

“He got out of his ground early. He’s another one that hit the line very very well. After his Roxburgh mishap we freshened him up, changed a bit of gear on him and it seems to have worked. He’s a pretty handy horse and is a different player in that field.” 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink