Sofia chasing down the magical 100 mark

There’s nothing quite like a few centimetre-perfect harness racing drives to catch the eye of trainers . . . and punters.

So Swedish-born driver Sofia Arvidsson is fast finding herself a favourite with both following her recent efforts at Menangle and Penrith.

From limited opportunities, Arvidsson has an impeccable strike rate this month with three drives for three wins – and the likelihood of more to come at Menangle today.

Poised on 97 career wins, Arvidsson has a serious shot at cracking the magical 100 mark today with three top chances on the 10-race card.

The 28-year-old trains a small team of her own and has scored Menangle wins with handy square-gaiter Aldebaran Tess (Muscle Hill) and her more recent stable addition The Big End Of Town in recent weeks.

This obviously caught the eye of Wilton trainer Tony Bertwistle, who booked Arvidsson for his five-year-old mare Shanlou at Penrith last week.

Arvidsson did the rest, leading most of the way to score a half-neck win over Heresecomessassy and Kingston Shannon in a lady drivers’ race.

Bertwistle was obviously impressed with her effort as he has rewarded the 28-year-old reinswoman with the drive on Shanlou in Race 8 at Menangle today.

Perfectly drawn in gate two for a repeat effort, Shanlou has been installed a $4.50 second favourite to repeat the dose.

Arvidsson is set for her busiest day for months as she will then pilot last week’s impressive Menangle winner Outside Fighter in Race 9.

The Joe Mauro-trained gelding wore down the favourite A Real Gentleman to score by a half head in a 1:54.1 mile rate.

Outside Fighter has shown ample gate speed in the past and the scratching of Kenny Said means the former Victorian will move into gate four, which suggests Arvidsson could make use of his speed and look for an all-the-way win.

Another ‘new’ drive for Arvidsson today will be unlucky gelding Ardens Ace for Bertwistle in Race 10.

This five-year-old gelding, owned by Bertwistle’s wife Alison, hasn’t won a race for about 18 months when he took out a heat of the rich Carousel series at Menangle.

And despite being poorly-drawn in gate nine today, Ardens Ace has been kept safe in the betting at $5.50 and Bertwistle will be hoping Arvidsson can again work her magic and get the old fellow to do his best and get the gelded son of Art Major back onto the podium.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales