Navua Pixie chasing back to back wins

A total of 80 horses will contest seven races in Hobart Friday, but only two of those are last start winners including Navua Pixie in race six, the Nutrient Ag Solutions Sprint Lane Pace.

The four-year-old mare’s only win was in Burnie on 20 March which was also the first training win for her trainer Samantha Gangell and she will be hoping the mare can make it back-to-back victories tonight.

“She was super when she won at Burnie, and she had a trial in Hobart a few weeks ago where she went good, she has trained on well since then,” said the trainer who was in the sulky for the Burnie victory and the trial win on 8 June.

“She sat midfield in that trial, and they went slow early, I hooked her out at the 600 (metre mark) and she ran home well,” said Gangell about the pacer.

Gangell’s partner Troy McDonald will take the drive tonight and he will have to overcome barrier three on the second row in the 2090-metre event.

Instead, Gangell will drive stable mate Nikks Pick.

Gangell is a part-owner of Nikks Pick, and under the rules of harness racing she has to drive that pacer.

The Betterthanchedar mare was a beaten favourite in the race won by Navua Pixie in Burnie.

“She wasn’t 100 percent that night, she had a tough run five-days prior that probably took a bit out of her, “ explained Gangell.

“The draw suits her if the one can hold up and get her to the sprint lane then she should be in the finish as well,” said the trainer-driver about the mare who was on her worst behaviour in a trial on 8 June.

My Girl Pearl is another pacer from the Gangell stable who will contest race four on the card.

The Art Major mare has had two trials during the COVID shutdown on 1 June before a victory on 8 June.

“She has trained on ok after a few recent trials, she has a bad draw, but if she can get a good run into the race she should be thereabouts,” said the trainer.

Gangell also puts the polish on three-year-old gelding Insulting, who is having his first start in race two.

The gelded son of He’s Watching won a Hobart trial on 25 May before being placed on 1 June where the trainer was happy with the pacers progress.

“His first trial he was pretty green, we changed a bit of gear on him, and he went well his next trial when he only got beat five-metres by Watchmylips and on his work since I think he is a good chance,” said Gangell who has given the drive once again to her partner Troy.

With only seven races, tonight’s Quadrella commences on race four with the first race scheduled for 17:45.

Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing