Amalfi has strong credentials at Motukarara

Richmond Park harness racing trainer Robert Stuart heads to Banks Peninsula today with a strong chance of success with maiden pacer Amalfi (Sweet Lou).

Sam Ottley will reunite with him in Race 2, the NZMTC Supports Grass Racing Mobile Pace. The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding was huge in his fresh up run at Rangiora on November 8 where he sat parked the trip and only went down a short margin. Stuart believes the gelding will be ready to run another strong race.

“He seems as good as was three weeks ago. I expect him to go well,” said Stuart.

Amalfi will still need to do some work in the race today as he has drawn the outside of the front line, but that does not deter Stuart.

“He had about ten starts last prep but was never right. So he seems like a different horse this time in.”

Stuart will also line up a debutant three year old Art Major filly Art’s Mischief in Race 3, the Happy Birthday Kirsten Bridge.

After spending her earlier years with Jim Curtin, Art’s Mischief had the reset button pushed by Stuart.

“I turned her out when i got her.”

“She’s maturing nicely. She’ll be a nice horse in six months time.”

Today’s affair will be a learning curve for both trainer and driver.

“She will just need the run and experience”

“She goes alright, but we aren’t expecting too much at this stage.”

She will also be driven by Sam Ottley.

Today’s 11-race card starts at 12.18pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand