Hanrahan sends out two big chances on huge 13-race card

Ashburton harness racing trainer Laurence Hanrahan lines up two good chances on what will be a huge meeting at Motukarara today.

The 13 race programme gets underway just before noon with big open fields the order of the day.

The day’s feature is the Paul Renwick Joinery Motukarara Christmas Cup (4.03pm) where the Hanrahan-trained Tanzania will be one of many chances.

The Rock N Roll Heaven five-year-old won the race last year and is going into today’s contest in good form with two seconds in his last two starts behind the likes of It’s Tough and The Lazarus Effect.

“He’s led out and trailed the last runs he’s had but he won’t get that today,” says Hanrahan.

At $9.50 and $3.30, Tanzania will start off 10 metres for driver John Morrison.

“There are just so many chances in races like these but he seems well and is in with a chance,” says Hanrahan.

Audacity is currently the $5 favourite with Kiss The Girls next at $6.

In the very next race, the Liquorland Prebbleton Mobile Pace (4.37pm) Hanrahan’s other runner on the day Mighty Flying Lou is a $2.90 favourite for driver Gerard O’Reilly.

The Sweet Lou four-year-old has had two seconds and a third in his last three starts and has drawn well at five today.

“He’s racing very well and deserves to be the favourite,” says Hanrahan.

He has three placings from three starts on the grass.

“The track will be in great condition I’m sure,” says Hanrahan, “and with 13 races it will their biggest day of the year.”

The day will again see the country’s top junior drivers Wilson House and Carter Dalgety battle it out.

With just two days left in the season, one win separates them at the top of the premiership with House on 91  wins and Dalgety on 90.

Both have busy days ahead of them with House having 11 drives altogether, 10 for his father Michael.

He is currently the more favoured of the pair to win the premiership at $1.70 with Dalgety at $2.

Among their duals today will be the Famous Grouse Hotel Junior Drivers Race at 2.25pm. Dalgety will drive $3.60 favourite Henry Winkler.

To see today’s fields click here

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk