Addington Preview – 19th February

It might be a night of smaller fields but there’s plenty of form in the Addington harness racing card to be run on Friday the 19th

We look into some of the races of interest here.  

The feature of the night comes up early in the card. The “Lone Star Sires Stakes Fillies Classique” at listed level will go at 6.24m and is to be run over the 1980m distance from behind the mobile arm.

At first glance the field may seem disappointing given there’s only five runners present but it’s a field of real quality. Early tactics may prove decisive as the Hayden Cullen trained Wanna Play With Me may look to dictate terms from the front of the race from the #2 draw. The Michael Ward trained Time Up The Hill has the distinct advantage of drawing the #1 barrier and may well have the chance to take the passing lane late in this, her high speed meaning she’ll be the knock out chance. Alluring Tyron, a last start winner, and the consistent Aldebaran Floss also have claims.

The fourth of the night sees the two-year-old fillies go to battle with Amore Vita looking to bounce back from her debut defeat when well supported by punters. She draws the #1 barrier which provides driver Mark Purdon with early options. Anna Love, trained my Greg Payne, made a good fist of things on debut and should have admirers while the Regan Todd trained Play Philly is looking to extend her winning streak to two but will need to overcome a wide barrier of #7.

The seventh race on the card the “Alabar Mobile Pace” sees the young colts and geldings do their thing over the 1980m mobile journey.

Tide And Time, trained by Katie Cox, has been most impressive in recent workouts and trials. He’s a son of Somebeachsomewhere out of That’s Hunting Pink, a mare who won five herself. The gelding will face some strong opposition from the likes of first-up winners in Executive Banner (R Houghton trained) and the Greg and Nina Hope trained Celtic Spirit who should plenty of his spirit to win when beating out Cantfindabettorman on debut.  

Two-year-old form does tend to be variable at times which makes these races for the young ones interesting to watch and, at times, hard to muster any clear thoughts about.We’ll all be a little more knowledgeable about how things stand with this lot after they past the post no doubt.

The last of the night is due to go at 9.24pm. It’s an even and competitive field that has plenty of form about it.

The Geoff Dunn trained The Falcon draws handily at #3 while Sweet Belle (drawn 4) and the consistent Firefox (drawn 6) also have draws which they can work forward from. Runners Bettor Call Me and Rock Legend represent the Hayden Cullen barn with Rock Legend unable to show his true ability last time out after locking wheels with Zarias in the Harness 7000 final. The Ken Barron stable also fields two chances in Idealingold and the unbeaten Franco Stefan. The pint-sized Boudica looks to upset them all from the #1 express-lane barrier. This is a good field which looks sure to supply plenty of wins going forward.

A strong night of harness racing at headquarters.

Ben McMillan