Winter Rewards night has top fields set to race

Trainers have their winter performers ready to take advantage of the lucrative Winter Rewards Finals on a big night of harness racing at Addington on Thursday night.

Opawa Louie (Sweet Lou) is set to start the favourite in the first of the $20,000 contests after recently moving to Aaron Swain’s barn.

After taking some time to settle into his new surrounds, the pacer is on song ahead of race 3.

“He seems pretty good, I have had him for about four weeks and he has just taken a bit of time to settle in,” Swain said.

“I am pretty happy with his work, he should be a top four chance.”

“I have got one of the best on (John Dunn), it will be up to him on the day.”

“He is not the best steering horse but hopefully John can work his magic.”

Robbie Holmes has a strong hand in the second Winter Reward Final at Addington.

MM Sunshine (Muscle Mass) will be out to continue her consistent form while Quik Barbie (Quaker Jet) will be out to show her best manners.

“MM Sunshine tries and tries, she wasn’t trotting that well a while ago but she had her hocks treated and we have been really happy with her since,” Holmes said.

“She’s been really consistent and hopefully she can go another good race.”

“Quik Barbie just panicked a bit and knuckled over in behind in her last start when I pulled the cord.”

“She is a funny wee thing.”

“She actually set a New Zealand record at Cambridge one night earlier in the piece.”

“She has got a lot of high speed.”

Drawing the outside of the second line is the big challenge for Aint No Angel (Raging Bull) in Thursday night’s third Winter Rewards Final.

Trainer-driver Brad Williamson has been pleased with the mare but he admits she will require some luck to win race 5.

“I would have said she would be a really good chance before she drew out there,” Williamson said.

“It is going to make it hard for her and she is going to need a bit of luck.”

“I have been happy with her and if she does get some luck she could be right in it.”

Fernleigh Blackbird’s (He’s Watching) draw isn’t necessarily the key to her chances in Thursday’s fourth Winter Rewards Final.

The Regan Todd trained pacer has gate speed and she slots into barrier 3 in race 7.

But Todd thinks the best way the mare can feature in the event and see out 2600m strongly is if she can be driven cold and doesn’t do too much early work.

Galway Girl (Majestic Son) faces her biggest recent challenge in Thursday night’s fifth Winter Rewards Final.

The Steven McRae trained trotter has shown great manners this time in and she must show them again when taking on a capacity field in race 8.

“I have got no doubts ability-wise she will be able to handle it,” McRae said.

“Ability-wise she is probably a rating 80 horse.”

“But she is coming off the unruly and she’s drawn 1 off 20m.”

“So long as she steps away and runs a nice race I will be happy.”

Tempo Warrior (A Rocknroll Dance) drops in grade right in time for Thursday’s final $20,000 Winter Rewards event.

The Mark Jones trained pacer steps down into rating 39-44 company after racing in harder races recently.

“He gets into the right race, he had no luck last week and he gets his chance this week,” Jones said.

“He’s got gate speed and he’s drawn the front line, he should be hard to beat.”

Tempo Warrior starts form barrier 6 in race 9.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand