Chmiel hoping to grab some Winter Rewards riches

Canterbury horseman Terry Chmiel is a big fan of the Winter Rewards harness racing series and he is hoping to grab some of the riches on offer this weekend.

He will be after the lion’s share of two $20,000 purses at Addington Raceway on Sunday with Lizzie Richter (Sweet Lou) in the Storer Motors Winter Rewards Mobile Pace (2600m) and U R The One (Sweet Lou) in the First Direct Taxis Winter Rewards Mobile Pace (2600m).

“It’s great to be running for $20,000, especially for these sort of horses,” Chmiel said.

“It gives them a chance to run for some money and keep the owners happy.”

U R The One heads into Sunday after a quick freshen-up following two victories earlier this month and Chmiel is expecting her to continue her good run of form this weekend.

“She has freshened up and it has been a bit wet at home so hopefully we have got enough work into her,” he said.

“She seems pretty bright. It looks quite an even field so she will need a good run, but she is in a good space at the moment.”

Lizzie Richter has been a test in patience for Chmiel and her connections, however, she rewarded them with a win last start and her trainer is hoping she can put in a repeat performance.

“She is a bit of a headache horse, but she won last start and the small field helped,” Chmiel said.

“I think she is better over distance but being on the unruly is going to make it pretty hard. If they go hard and she has one crack at them, she will be thereabouts.”

Chmiel will also line-up Rapid Response (Gold Ace) in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Pace (2600m).

“He broke his hopple last time,” Chmiel said. “He had a few days off so he might be a bit fresh going into this, but whatever he does he will improve on, so he will be one to follow over the next couple of weeks.”

Chmiel will have three further drives on the nine-race card and expects good showings from the Michael Cations-trained pair of Vincent Vega (Shadyshark Hanover) and Deja Blue (Mach Three).

“Both of Mike Cations horses are going well,” Chmiel said. “Vincent Vega trialled well the other day and it isn’t an overly strong field.

“Deja Blue won last start and he (Cations) said she has been working well, so they have all got good shows if they get a good run.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Joshua Smith, for Harness News Desk