Age Group racing dominates Addington card

This season appears to be throwing up a very even crop of three year old harness racing fillies. And qualifying points are up for grabs tonight (Oct. 6) at Addington, in Heat Five of the Nevele R Fillies Series.

Rolleston trainers Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen have a strong hand in the feature, gearing up A Bettor You (Bettor’s Delight), Queen Of Diamonds (Bettor’s Delight) and Chambray (Bettor’s Delight).

A Bettor You has had some tough runs this campaign but gets a better draw this week. She finished 4 th on the grass at her last start.

“I’d like to think she’s a bit better than that. She’s got a better draw to work with. I just don’t know whether she’s improved a lot between two and three,” Mark said.

Queen of Diamonds was an impressive last start winner at Oamaru.

“That run tightened her up, but we’ll need a bit of luck from that draw. I’m happy with her training this week.”

Chambray is expected to improve on her last start third.

“She had a bit of bruising in her foot after her last start. She seems good now. I think if she got the right run she’d be right there.”

Fernleigh Blackbird (He’s Watching) gets her chance for Yaldhurst trainer Regan Todd. She draws gate six and showed a return to form when running a very close second to Street Art at Addington last Friday.

“We liked her last time in, but she had a wind operation after she was disappointing in the Oaks heat at Winton. She had a run of the grass, finished off well at Oamaru and at her last start ran a nice second to Craig’s horse (Street Art) who looks quite smart. She’s been getting fitter and better with every run. I would have preferred gates 1 to 3 so she could find the fence. She could burn the arm, but it might not leave too much at the other end,” Todd said.

Steve and Amanda Telfer’s barn is represented by Obsession (Captaintreacherous).

“She’s an honest filly with a lot of high speed. The eight draw is a tricky starting point for her. If she can get a good trip the race doesn’t look beyond her. They’re a pretty even lot and the one with the best run on the day can get the prize,” Steve said.

Later in the programme the two year old fillies are down to run in Heat Two of the Dunstan Horsefeeds Sires Stakes Fillies Series.

Ardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside) from the Telfer barn is looking to extend her unbeaten record to three. She just had to be reined up to win easily at Addington a fortnight ago.

“She showed a bit up here (Auckland) but since heading south she’s really grown and developed. Her two wins down there have been very strong. We’ve got a wide draw, but she is a filly that’s got a bit of bottom to her. She’s met most of these before other that Nathan’s filly (Micaitlen Denario).

Treacherous Gall’s run was a nice one last time. I expect Tim (Williams) to put her in the race at some stage. She’s our best bet (in the age group features).”

Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) represents the Todd stable in tonight’s heat. She impressed, winning her first two starts and was running on at her last start behind Ardiebytheseaside.

“Her sectionals at her last start were pretty good. With the preferential (draw) in this heat it’s going to be tough. There’ll be options, but I leave that up to the driver. I’m very happy with her. She’s trained on well. She seems a pretty smart horse. It’ll be great to get some points heading to the final.”

Also on Friday night’s card at Addington is the third heat of the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes for two year olds and the two likely favourites have markedly different draws.

Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) trained by Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen will start from Gate Three while Alta Meteor for team Telfer (Art Major) draws the outside of the second row.

Unbeaten in three starts, Don’t Stop Dreaming hasn’t raced since May and has had one trial to fit him for his race day return.

“We were happy with the trial and happy with his work, but I think he’ll be vulnerable. Thank goodness we’ve got a good draw to work with. Maybe with the good draw he might be good enough to win it. He’s got gate speed so there’s a good chance he may lead,” Mark said.

Other Purdon/Cullen runners are: Sherlock “He’s the best of the rest (after Akuta). He ran a nice third first up and has trained on well.”

Wish Me Luck “He’s probably going to get a good trip, so he’d be my third pick.”

Alta Meteor for team Telfer has won three of his four starts and since winning at Addington early last month has also been to the trials.

“Since he’s been down there, he’s stepped up. He’s a horse with a lot of speed but he’ll need a lot from back there. Besides Mark’s one (Don’t Stop Dreaming) there’s a few nice ones. He’s going to give them all a start and somehow get into the race. From fifteen I’m not sure how Tim will do that.

He’s got a good turn of foot when saved for a run. The trick is getting close at the 400 without having to work overtime to get there.”

So, plenty to ponder at in what will be a spectacular night of racing for some of our best young horses.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink