Big guns away, Geary out to play

Talented young harness racing horseman Chris Geary is entitled to wish Luke McCarthy and Jack Callaghan would stay in Victoria for a few weeks longer than the Inter Dominion Championship.

While the pair have been campaigning with the likes of Expensive Ego and Spirit Of St Louis south of the border, Geary has reminded everyone of his talent with some superb drives.

After a winning double at Menangle last weekend, Geary finds himself in demand at Menangle again tonight (Dec. 3) with seven great chances on the eight-race program.

Three of his seven drives are for the Belinda and Luke McCarthy team.

Yet trainers like Leon Jurd, Adam Ruggari, Michael Doltoff and Pete Russo have also rushed to enlist the in-form Geary’s services.

Geary’s wins on Jilly Kung Fu and Artillery at Menangle last weekend have been the talk of the track and pushed his name back among our very best reinsmen.

“The last couple of weeks have been really good and it sure helps pay a few bills,” grinned Geary.

Among his best chances at Menangle tonight are The Croupier (Roll With Joe, Race 1), Mach Shard (Mach Three, Race 5) and Fairy Tinkabell (Big Jim) in the feature, Race 6, the $30,600 Club Menangle Teeny Teeny Stakes.

“The Croupier needed the run first-up,” Geary told National Trotguide on-line’s Mike Ko’cass.

“He actually trialled with Jillby Kung Fu and Expensive Ego and was only beaten six or seven metres.

“We expect him to race well tonight as his work has been good enough to suggest he’s ready to put on a good showing.”

Geary said the talented Mach Shard had been giving the stable a few headaches and had not been himself at his past few runs.

“Still, his work of late has been pleasing and although he’s fresh-up we still expect him to run a good race tonight.”

The horse Geary is looking forward to driving is Fairy Tinkabell, the $2.75 favourite for the main race of the night, despite spirited opposition expected from the likes of Total Diva, Little Bliss and her own stablemate, Honey Queen.

“After a couple of disappointing runs in Queensland, she was just beaten when she returned here to race,” said Geary.

“Her work since indicates she is getting back to where she needs to be and she should be really hard to beat tonight.

“I think she can go a really big mile and I regard her as my best drive tonight.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by Michael Court, for HRNSW