Canterbury Classic a major Cup pointer

The IRT New Zealand Cup market will undoubtedly change after the running of Friday night’s (Sep. 30) Canterbury Classic at Addington.

Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight), Spankem (Better’s Delight), Got You Covered (Art Major), Cranbourne (Sir Lincoln) and South Coast Arden (Somebeachsomewhere) all head into the race in a fresh state, so trainers and punters will be assessing their harness racing performances and preparation for the New Zealand Trotting Cup next month.

The Ashburton training partnership of Brent and Tim White head into the Group Two feature with two runners – Cranbourne and Got You Covered who is a recent addition from the Dunn stable.

“He (Got You Covered) had a quiet trial a fortnight ago and sat back and hit the line well. His last 100 was very nice. Last Wednesday at Rangiora he finished on the back of BD Joe. Kimberley (Butt) didn’t pull him out down the straight and that’s the way we wanted him driven. He’s a good doing horse who’s new here and we’ll be wiser after Friday night,” Brent said.

Cranbourne also had a quiet trial at Ashburton and was back at the trials last week.

“Matty was happy with him. The only disappointing part was he just bobbled for a couple of strides, but he did hit it. The standing starts have been his achilles heal. I’m pretty sure he will hit it (his stride) on Friday. At home he’s faultless.”

Woodend Beach training partners Robert and Jenna Dunn will line up Steel The Show (Bettor’s Delight) and Smiffy’s Terror (Terror To Love).

Steel The Show hasn’t had much luck recently but stable spokesman John Dunn says the four year old needs to be driven in a certain way.

“His forte is to step quickly, get on the fence and not get too far back. Trailing three back on the fence would be ideal. That’s what he likes. I can’t fault the horse at home. You just have to put a line through last week’s race, it wasn’t run to suit,” Dunn said.

Smiffy’s Terror broke at his last start but made up good ground and Dunn says he’s still working out this part of racing.

“He got off on the wrong foot but to his credit he came down and got pacing really quickly. He’s got to learn to step quick against these sorts of horses. You can’t afford to be giving them crucial lengths.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink