Addington harness racing review 24th June

Harness racing review for NZ Metropolitan trotting Club’s meeting held at Addington Raceway on 24th June 2022.

This report focuses on the top four or five placings along with highlighted unlucky runners and better than average efforts from other horses in the race.

Race 1

Hot favourite Skittle Bomb (American Ideal) had to be good to win this race as he went rough early and settled back near last. Still giving the leaders a big start at the 400m he came wide and powered home for an easy win and the start of a big night for driver Robbie Close. Beach Hopper ran second and his run was a good one as he sat parked for the whole race and never gave up in the run home. Rodasi battled on well from the trail and Hit The Beach and Major Torque made ground from back in the field. Janarty also ran home ok after clearing traffic.

Race 2

A race with a lot of breakers early but of the five horses who made good beginnings it was The Royal Gamble (Royal Aspirations) and driver Sam Thornley who came out on top at the finish. Lookslikeatrixter did a lot of work in the running and stuck well for second ahead of Emily who had a good run on the fence and made a bit of ground in the run home. Sassy Star is one to paste in the black book as he got pushed back at a vital stage and powered home late for fourth. Blithe and Paige also did well after early mistakes with the rest of the field well beaten.

Race 3

First Class (Bettor’s Delight) won this race after a perfect run on the outer for driver Olivia Thornley. Jordy and John Dunn followed First Class everywhere and he finished well for second ahead of Bri Express who did well after sitting parked for the majority of the race. Ajira ran home well late with the rest only battling up the straight.

Race 4

Mid Canterbury trotter Maui (Peak) and driver Lawrence McCormick utilised the passing lane after trailing and zipped home for an easy win in this race. Show Me The Gray finished on well for second with Royal Pride doing amazingly well for third after a mistake at the 400m that cost him 20 metres. His effort to get within a length of the winner was huge. King Of Love battled on ok for 4th with the favourite Resolve also running home well late.

Race 5

Harnesslink value bet of the night Evangalist (Shadyshark Hanover) got up for the followers at good money in this race after grabbing the trail for in-form driver Robbie Close. All By Myself finished on well for second with early leader and favourite Kikorangi Blue fighting on for third. Classy Dancer made some ground up the inner for fourth. Mitsi Gaynor was blocked in the run home after coming off the fence in the home straight and Swell Time also had trouble clearing traffic and was never fully clear.

Race 6

Tommysonaroll (Auckland Reactor) won first up for trainer Matt Purvis in this heat of the NZ Amateur drivers series. Frank Phelan did the driving and he led all the way winning untouched despite being attacked mid race. Itz To The Macs ran home well for second ahead of Four Starzzz Shiraz who ran home well when clear. Songbird battled on for fourth ahead of Glitz And Glam. Tane JJ ran home ok with not  a lot of room in the last 50m. Frank Phelan is now in front in the Amateur series with Blair Wilmott in second.

Race 7

Jakarta (Andover Hall) had a good run on the fence in this race and just did enough when produced in the straight by driver Amber Lethaby.  Cody Banner and Matthew Williamson looked the winner on the turn but only battled late for a close second with Wynberg Watch running home well for third. Take After Me only battled for fourth as did Jerry garcia who tired after leading with the rest well beaten.

Race 8

In a race with a number of lead changes, Petrify (Pet Rock) and driver John Dunn were too good for the others. Petrify got a good cart into the race at the right time and won comfortably from a fast finishing Pure Courage. Move It On Over worked hard to lead and was brave running third with Rapid Response grinding home for fourth. Prettyboycoby didn’t get much room on the turn and ran on when clear. Favourite Mr Lincoln  broke early and put in a massive run to finish midfield after being some 70m from the leaders at one stage.

Race 9

Mikey Maguire (Mach Three) led from the outset for driver Sam Thornley and won this race by a small margin after a stirring home stretch battle with race favourite Soundsofcash. Franco Hoffman held down third with Mossdale Mac just pipping Midfrew Luisianabeau for fourth.

MIKEY MAGUIRE REPLAY

Race 10

Trotting mare Kahress (Muscle Hill) made it three wins in a row when she easily won the highest rated trot on the program tonight. Grabbing an early trail for driver Chris Butt, Kahress beat was too quick up the straight beating the leader in the race Repeat Pat by three lengths. With Ice ran home well for third with gaps back to the rest of the field headed by My Moments Now.

Race 11

Driver Robbie Close got his third win of the night here when he rated Victor Bravo (Sir Lincoln) in front and held off a game King Arthur who trailed. The Cobbler ran home ok for third with It’s Me fighting on for fourth after working wide the last 800m. Sharp Lou did well from the back in the straight.

Race 12

Hail Lucius (Sportswriter) gave Robbie Close his fourth win of the night when he flashed home wide on the track from near last to record an impressive victory. The Coalman also ran home well but was no match for the winner. Best Trio did best of the others with Morrisey also running home well and Tasman Tempest poking through late.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media