Arna’s major players for Alexandra Park

Cambridge harness racing trainer Arna Donnelly, takes a team of in form runners to Alexandra Park tomorrow night (Jun. 29) and four of them have been sired by Art Major.

Five year old mare Pacing Hope (Art Major) gets a handy draw in Race Two – a race sponsored by the mare’s ownership group as they remember the late Terry Walker.

“If she gets the right trip she’s never too far away. She tries her heart out. Terry passed away a wee while ago and I think the other boys have put something together on the night, which is cool,” Arna said.

Donnelly fronts up with two runners in Race Four: last start winner Third Time (He’s Watching) and Denny (Art Major).

Denny gets a handy draw (1) and will be handled by David Butcher.

“He (Denny) never saw clear air at his last start. He’s come through that race really well. He’s got a nice draw and has enough speed to hold up early. If he does he shouldn’t be too far away at the finish.”

Third Time also draws handy (4) and junior driver Zev Meredith takes the reins.

“He surprises us every time he goes onto the track. He’s trained on really well. We were aiming for the junior drivers race this week, but it never got off the ground. Zev is driving him again and we’ll be looking for a penalty free win if we can get it. I can’t split Denny and Third Time as my best bets.”

Donnelly has Crusader (Art Major), New York Minute (Art Major) and Rough And Ready (Somebeachsomewhere) in the main pacing feature of the night which will be run over 2200 metres from the stand. 

The winner of five of his twenty seven starts, Crusader starts off the front row with Ben Butcher in the sulky.

“I think the race will suit him and he generally steps really good at home so I hope he can do it on race day. If he can get away, lead or be handy, he should go a cheeky race.”

New York Minute beat a nice field at his last start and runs from the twenty metre handicap tomorrow night. Todd Mitchell takes the reins.

“He’s a super horse who never goes a bad race. He’s just the perfect wee tradesman. If they go hard up front it’s going to be a bit harder being off twenty metres but I’m sure he’ll go a good race too.”

There have been no races recently for Rough And Ready, but he starts tomorrow night off the twenty metres. Zev Meredith will do the driving.

“He goes good from the stand but once again it’s going to be hard off the twenty metres. I’m pleased he’s racing this week. He had a nice trial at the weekend so that should have cleaned him up for Thursday night.”

Donnelly’s last runner is Red Rackham (Vincent) who’s entered in Race Seven. 

“He did everything right last start. All we wanted to do was to get round and give him some confidence and Zev handled him really well. He’s a bit better the Auckland way round and it’s a smaller field. If he can get a drag into it he hopefully will run top four.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink