Stratford’s seven for Wairio

Gore trainer Tony Stratford heads over to the Winton harness racing track on Saturday with a team of seven for the Wairio Trotting Club’s autumn meeting.

Mataura BB (A Rocknroll Dance) resumes after last racing at Invercargill in November. He hasn’t been sighted at any trials or workouts and cops a wide draw in Race One.

After racing against good company on Diamonds Day and finishing third, Asta (Bettor’s Delight) faces a field of maidens in Race Two. The three year old gelding draws two on the second line in the 1609 metre event.

In Race Five Stratford lines up Son Of The Cleaner (Love You). He’s been out of sorts in his last three starts, but posesses his share of talent.

First starter Ava Dale (He’s Watching) takes her place in Race Six. The four year old mare is out of four win mare Roxy Dale. She’s been well educated at four workouts and a trial but draws barrier seven on debut.

Outback Man (He’s Watching) also draws barrier seven in Race Seven. He hasn’t had a lot of luck recently but looked to be coming back to form when finishing third at Winton two weeks ago.

Both Goma Dale (Auckland Reactor) and Bismarck Du Plessis (Always B Miki) have good draws in Race Nine in one of the strongest fields of the day.

Goma Dale is resuming after last racing at Omakau in January. He’s been to two workouts as part of his preparation for Saturday’s race.

Bismarck Du Plessis has a very good form line. The three year old last raced at the Waimate meeting on the grass at Oamaru over four weeks ago, finishing a close fourth.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink