Coppins takes three to Cambridge tonight

Team Coppins will again be out in force at Cambridge tonight as junior harness racing driver Kate Coppins looks to continue her good form in the sulky.

She has three drives, all for her grandmother, Morrinsville trainer Jill Coppins.

In Race 4, the Wednesday Quiz Night at The Clubhouse Handicap Trot she takes the reins behind Bonny Parker (What The Hill), who ran third her last start at Cambridge on May 6. It was her first placing in five starts.

“It was a huge improvement for her, we’ve had a lot of trouble with her early on just getting her trotting, so with her coming third it was a huge shock to us,” she said.

“It’s a big step up racing the one wins and the higher graded horses, but she tries her hardest no matter what and if she trots all the way she could hopefully get a nice placing.”

Her best of the night is in Race 6, the NZMCA Parking at Cambridge Raceway Mobile Pace in the form of Jaccka Opa who ran into a strong second last start on the course.

“We were quite shocked with him last start too, we’d just changed his training around a little bit and for him to come out and do that really surprised us.”

“I think tonight he should go another good race, being 2700 metres and the races that he’s won down south have all been over the 2600 so we think it might be right up his alley.”

President Flynntin rounds out her night in Race 7, the Hire a Venue at Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot and his last start win bodes well for his chances this evening.

“It was a pretty good feeling, it never seems to stop being exciting,” said Coppins.

“I think he should go pretty good tonight, fingers crossed he’ll trot but he’s been pretty consistent lately with his manners so long as I put him in the race he should be a pretty big chance again.”

To make this all even more special for Coppins is that she gets to do it all for her family, and especially her grandmother.

“Honestly it’s very hard to put into words the excitement of just coming in a place let alone winning for her, the excitement in her just brings me so much joy and being in those colours, every time I go out there I feel really proud.”

“The amount of work she puts in and everyone else as well, mum and dad, they put their whole life into it to get the horses to the races for me and I wouldn’t be here without their support, especially nana.”

So far Coppins, in just her second year of driving, has won seven races from 73 drives.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand