Thorn has Geary on his side

When talented harness racing reinsman Chris Geary hits form, it’s worth sticking with him.

And Menangle trainer David Thorn moved quickly to sign him up to drive smart mare Tisbury Rocks (Johny Rock) when regular reinsman Jack Trainor became unavailable at Menangle today (Apr. 4).

Having his first start for Thorn, Tisbury Rocks bolted in with a 21m win victory at Menangle two weeks ago, rating 1:53 with Trainor in the bike.

Trainor is currently holidaying in the US, so Thorn turned to Geary, who is fresh from a winning double at Penrith last week, scoring with Roll With Sloy and Kissed By A Rose.

Listed as a $2.50 shot in early markets after drawing perfectly in gate two for Race 7, Thorn described the daughter of US stallion Johny Rock as a nice racemare.

“Her first-up run was really good and we then had her entered at Penrith in the meeting that was washed out so she hasn’t raced for a couple of weeks,” Thorn told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“She got right away from them in the straight at her first run for me here at Menangle and she probably switched off a bit, but she is an improving mare.

“She comes out alright and the horse beside her comes out well too. If we can hold the lead I do think she’ll be hard to beat.”

Tisbury Rocks is one of several chances Thorn has today and he has ace Menangle horseman Robbie Morris ‘filling in’ for Trainor aboard A Real Gentleman, a $2.75 early favourite in Race 5

“Robbie drove him well at Bathurst so he can keep the drive until Jack gets back from holidays,” said Thorn.

“His first start this prep at Penrith was a bit disappointing but he went a lot better last week at Bathurst and really hit the line well.

“He did show good gate speed and lead a race in Melbourne but Robbie will know the form better than me and if he can cross them and go forward he probably will.”

Thorn will also send the classy Heaven On High around in the time-honoured Renshaw Cup at Penrith on Thursday night.

“They’re not racing here at Menangle on Saturday so that worked out quite well for us,” he said.

“If he happens to find the front around Penrith, it’s hard to run around horses there.

“It won’t be an easy race against the open-class horses, but you never know.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales