Carter Dalgety heads to the Motukarara grass for a rare harness racing opportunity on Sunday.
The junior driver admitted he can’t remember the last time the Kentuckiana Lodge team took runners to a grass track meeting.
But the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety stable could make a triumphant return to racing on turf with their two runners on Sunday.
Darby O’Gill (Rock N Roll Heaven) looks a royal winning chance following his fourth behind Triple G at Addington on premier night.
Triple G has made that form look even better when running second behind Don’t Stop Dreaming at Addington on Friday night.
“He went a nice race behind Triple G, he is not quite up to those better three-year-olds yet but he is getting better all the time this wee fella,” Carter Dalgety said.
“He had to do a fair bit of early work so it was a good run.”
“Back into a lower grade race I would like to think he is a good winning chance.”
“He would be my best chance on Sunday.”
Darby O’Gill looks perfectly placed from barrier 2 in race 10.
Light Up The Fire (Art Major) is also set to start favourite in the Kentuckiana Lodge colours on Sunday.
The filly starts first up in race 2 on the back of two nice trial efforts.
“She is a filly that showed us some ability last time in but had a few seasonal issues.”
“She has come back in a lot stronger and seems really well.”
“Her first trial I was happy with her but she was a wee bit big.”
“But her last trial I was stoked with and she should be very competitive on that run, even though she has a wee bit of a tricky draw.”
Dalgety takes two outside drives at Motukarara in Lester and The Welsh Dragon.
The junior driver is hopeful the Warren Stapleton trained Lester is a top three chance in race 6.
“I spoke to Kim Butt who has been driving him and she said he has got a lot of speed but he can be a little bit tricky.”
“Dance Til Dawn looks hard to beat but I think my horse can run into a top three spot.”
Dalgety rates The Welsh Dragon as a horse that can win but one that is green and still needing to get more ringcraft.
For complete race entries, click here.
by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand