Cambridge harness racing review 23rd June

Harness racing review for Waikato Bay of Plenty Harness Inc held at Cambridge Raceway on 23rd 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

A gritty win by trotter MM Sunshine (Muscle Mass) in this race after making a three wide run at the 800m. The 4yo mare finished on well in the straight to pick up a game Voronov and driver Luk Chin who also made a wide run down the back straight the last time. Keystone Comet (Zachary Butcher) ran home well from back in the field for third with Ya Know (Dylan Ferguson) also making up some ground in the run home. The rest were well beaten.

Race 2

Big mover on the fixed odds and the Harness Analyst best bet of the night Caulfield (Sir Lincoln) led from the outset and started a good night for the Butcher family winning easily with David Butcher in the sulky. Rank outsider Elated (Todd Macfarlane) held second after trailing and another roughie Andy Quick (Ben Butcher) ran home well for third up the inner. Ideal Kingdom (Maurice McKendry) battled on well for fourth after a hard run in transit and next home was Watchit (Tony Cameron) who was only fair with a gap to the rest.

Race 3

The New Zealand Amateur drivers series started in this race and was won by Ticking Over (Changeover) and southern driver Blair Wilmott. They blasted to the lead early and always had the field well covered winning at big odds from Play Ball and driver Andrew Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald is the defending NZ Amateur driving champion. Piki Whara (Frank Phelan) ran home ok from a good sit on the outer for third and trail horse Comic Book Hero (Craig Sharpe)battled on for fourth. Favourite Four Kisses sat back on the outer for driver Cheree Wigg and flashed home late for fifth (One to paste away in the black book). Watch And Learn (Jo-ann Buckland-Stevens) also weaved home well through the middle late.

Race 4

Favourite for the race Sylvia Kay (Art Major) was well driven in the trail here and was too smart up the passing lane for driver Zachary Butcher. Ben Butcher driving Precious Belle followed the winner up the passing lane but second was the best she could do and Major Grace and driver Maurice McKendry ran home late for third out wide. Early leader Fletch Maguire (David Butcher) faded to fourth after being attacked during the race by Tugawar (Todd Macfarlane) who had a horror trip out wide for the last lap. Tugawar’s run was meritorious and he is worth following.

Race 5

Pembrook’s Destiny (Bettor’s Delight) was well rated in front by David Butcher and David picked up his second win of the night albeit only by a nose from Ben Butcher and Wheres The Gold who tried valiantly up the passing lane to miss narrowly and run second. Benjamin Button should go in the black book, as he was very unlucky running third for Salish Abernethy, running to the line under a hold with no room just behind the winner. Cos I Can (Tony Cameron) also ran home well out wide for fourth. Favourite Classy Operator (Dylan Ferguson) was taken back at the start but ran home well with plenty left in the tank. He looks a winner next start as well.

Race 6

Grey trotter Greystoke (Monkey Bones) won this event despite a mid-race gallop. Driver Ben Butcher zipped around to the lead and then trail a lap out and he was too strong over the concluding stages beating Full Of Hope and David Butcher who battled home well for second ahead of last lap leader Superfast Ninja and Zachary Butcher who made up the Butcher trifecta in the race. Bohemian Rhapsody (Tony Cameron) finished off ok for fourth with a big gap back to the beaten remainder.

Race 7

Riverman Sam (American Ideal) won the highest rated race of the night after a magical drive by Maurice McKendry. He was on the fence early but worked off into the one by one midrace and had too much pace in the straight going on to comfortably record his third win in a row. Bad Medicine (Alicia Harrison) had a hard run parked out but stuck well for second ahead of the early leader Wild Card (David Butcher) who faded slightly to third.

RIVERMAN SAM REPLAY

Race 8

This race was another Butcher dominated event with Sharkine (Shadyshark Hanover) trained by Shane Butcher comfortably beating a fast finishing Sky Delight and David Butcher. Cashlodo Flybye and Ben Butcher ran third ahead of early leader Unico Gem and Zachary Butcher. Matthew White drove a good race in the trail on the winner Sharkine who rated 1-55.6 for the 1700m.

Race 9

The non winners trot was won by favourite Share The Love (Love You) and driver Todd Macfarlane. They led all the way to beat Mont Blanc and Ross Paynter by three lengths with Ultimate Moment (John Robinson) battling on for third. A big gap back to the rest. Share The Love looks to have more wins coming in future.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media