Poutama looking for win number 300

Northern harness racing reinsman Andre Poutama is one win away from a major milestone when he drives at Alexandra Park tomorrow night (Aug. 3).

In his quest to get to the 300 mark he has six drives and he’s labelled the Ray Green trained Simply Sam (American Ideal) in Race Nine, as his best.

“Ray thought he was going to be a real good horse. He won those races in a row and went up to that higher grade. His first run the other day at Auckland was just okay. Although he ran third it felt as though he was just going to come out and pick them up, but he didn’t. We’ve put the sliding blinds on and he’s always good from the stand so we’re expecting a bolder run on Thursday,” he said.

In Race Three Poutama drives Emily Bay (Majestic Son) for Ival Brownlee. She was run down late in her last start by Inasinglemoment (What The Hill).

“It was the first time I’d driven her. She got beaten by one of Tony Herlihy’s that came up the lane, so she wouldn’t have to go much better to get a win. Tony’s horse was a first starter so I went hard around that final bend to try and shake it off, but it’s obviously got a bit of class. I think my horse will be a good chance on Thursday night.”

Three year old gelding Major Achievement (Art Major) is Poutama’s drive in Race Four. He’s also trained by Green.

“He’s been okay in his races. We’ve freshened him up. He trialled on Friday and he went well. He’ll definitely be in the top three I’m thinking. I know that Telfer (Steve Telfer) likes the one horse (Iron Brigade) a little bit. It’ll be interesting to see what happens off the gate but if he (Major Achievement) gets the right trip he’s going to be thereabouts.”

In Race Six Andre drives Beaudiene Rocknroll (A Rocknroll Dance).

“He had a heart fibrillation while racing at Auckland. We gave him a trial before his next run at Cambridge, which was ordinary, so we’ve gone back to the drawing board and freshened him up. His trial on Friday was good, getting run down by Frankie Major (Art Major). He’s been disappointing of late, so it depends on the sort of run he gets. Hopefully he’ll get the trail if the one horse (Millies Sensation) leads.”

Leo Lincoln (Art Major) is his drive in Race Seven.

“He’s a nice wee type. He had a trial the other day, they went 2-40 and he found the line well. He’ll need a bit of luck from that draw (inside second row). If he’s close enough (to the pace) he can give them a bit of a shake.”

In Race Eight Poutama drives Smokinhotcheddar (Betterthancheddar) which he trains. The seven win mare draws the inside of the second row.

“It’s the best draw she’s had for a long time. She’s starting to hit a bit of form and when she does she can hold it. I can see her maybe being three back on the fence at worst and that’ll suit her.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink