Big Mildura night ahead for 19-year-old driver

Young Ballarat harness racing reinsman Connor Clarke has enjoyed his share of success at Mildura in recent months and he makes the long trek to the Sunraysia again on Saturday night (Sep. 24).

The 19-year-old, who is fifth on the Concession Drivers’ Premiership, shares his thoughts on eight driving engagements at the meeting.

R1 N10 Lorne Beach: “I’m having my first drive on this horse. He is a sit-sprint type of pacer who looks like he’s in his right grade and if they run along I am going to have to weigh up whether to stay along the pegs or get out into the running line.”

R2 N3 Gotonebettor: “He gets out of the gate well so I am going to go forward and have a crack for the lead. He led when he won at Swan Hill five starts ago.”

R4 N2 Kickapoo Creek: “She is a consistent mare who is right up with the rest of these except Gauci, who is a step up again. She comes out of the pole if the emergency doesn’t run and I’ll be doing my best to hold lead. She is one of my better chances for the night.”

R5 N9 Frankntank: “It was a good win here two starts ago when I drove him coming three wide without cover. Roberts Delight is the one to beat and he has the right draw but my horse is a real place chance from the second row.”

R7 N6 Linxx: “Kate (Attard) put a shadow roll on him when he won here two starts ago. I drove him confidently and he just cruised up to them and then put a margin on them, he was extremely impressive. I will go forward on him as my main dangers have drawn the second row.”

R8 N7 Rocknroll Ronnie: “It’s a tricky race in that do I follow the pegs from the inside of the second row or get off shortly after the start? He is in the zone and was massive when he won two starts ago and his last start fifth doesn’t really show what he did. He is good enough to beat these – I like him.”

R10 N7 Lilbitahenrytee: “The horse he ran second to last start would probably be a short-priced favorite in this race. He laid out on the home turn and locked wheels otherwise he would have finished closer; he is better than most of these so I can’t afford to stay on the pegs.”

R11 N1 Maria From Milan: “I drove her in her first race two starts ago and she is still very green. Drawing the pole will help her follow the pegs, we will learn a bit more about her after this race.”

For complete race fields, click here.

by John Dunne, for HRV