Stormont and Rogerson have good chances tonight

Having recently joined Graeme Rogerson’s Hamilton stables, James Stormont will link up with three good each way harness racing chances at Alexandra Park tonight (Jul. 12).

Stormont returned north after a brief stint in Canterbury and joins the Rogerson Racing Team following Dylan Ferguson’s decision to go out on his own.

“We’re very happy to have James on board, he’s a great bloke and he brings a great level of experience to our young team of horses,” says Rogerson.

“The four runners tonight are all lovely horses and I think they should all do a good job tonight.

Wicked Wanda, driven by Stormont, is first up for the stable in Race 1, the Welcome to “Friday Night Lights” at Alex Park Mobile Pace over 2200 metres.

“She’s a pretty handy sort of a mare and there’s a great bunch of owners in the Woodlands Syndicate that race her,” says Rogerson, “starting from eight makes it a bit tricky but I think she’s a good chance.”

Currently a $3 favourite, the Sweet Lou four-year-old mare has shown ample ability with three wins and multiple placings including finishing third in the Group 2 Ladyship Stakes won by Millwood Nike early last year. Although unplaced, her last race day appearance back in December was in the Group 1 New Zealand Pacing Oaks. Wicked Wanda heads into the race with two preparatory workouts at Cambridge including a win over Blazing Louie on July 6.

In Race 4, the Breckon Farms Mobile Pace, the stable start the ever consistent Seaclusion ($4.20FF). The four-year-old mare has finished in the placings in her six starts this campaign, including a last start third at Alexandra Park with a strong run home late in the piece to finish just 1.75 lengths from the winner Hawkeye Pierce.

“She’s certainly got ability and we’ve changed some gear tonight but starts from a bad gate which isn’t ideal, although she does have some gate speed,” says Rogerson, “she’s had some runs against some good horses in her recent starts and never finished far off them.”

Rogerson’s final two starters are Gaz Man and Shez Bella ($3.80FF), driven by Benjamin Butcher and Stormont respectively. The pair contest Race 5, the Happy Birthday Stacey Handicap Trot over 2700 metres.

Gaz Man last raced in January and heads into tonight’s race without a workout, however he has won in a fresh state on previous occasions, and twice at this course and distance. He starts tonight off the front line.

“Gaz Man is a handy enough horse and we’ll just let him do his own thing tonight,” says Rogerson, “Shez Bella is all class and the boys at the stables have done a great job with her.”

“She’s still putting it all together and will need luck tonight, but I think she’ll eventually be a top grade trotter.”

Shez Bella is a last start winner scoring a comfortable victory over 2200 metres on June 27 at Auckland. Driven by Zachary Butcher on that occasion, the mare settled back in running from her 20-metre handicap, taking one run at them late to easily run by the field. She starts tonight’s race on the unruly and off a 10 metre handicap.

“I won’t be there tonight as I’ve recently had a triple bypass so I’m very much a couch critic at the moment,” says Rogerson “but I’m very happy with the job the staff at the stables are doing with the horses and it’s been great watching the races with Entain doing a great job at lifting the game.”

Meanwhile Stormont is looking forward to his new role at Rogerson’s.

“It’s good to be back in the north and the crew at Rogerson’s have been great at welcoming me in,” says Stormont, “there are some beautifully bred horses here and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

“I’ve brought just one horse back with me and I’ll be looking to get another couple to make the most of the new racing programme and opportunities here in the north.”

Race one gets underway tonight at 6.07pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand