Donnelly has promising chances at Cambridge

Tuesday harness racing returns to Cambridge today and local trainer Arna Donnelly lines up four horses, who all look to be promising chances.

“They’re all racing well and look well suited in tonight’s fields” says Donnelly.

Donnelly’s first starters for the night are Rough And Ready (Somebeachsomewhere)(5) and Bad Medicine (Bettor’s Delight) (6) in Race 4, the Garrards Horse And Hound Handicap Pace over 2200 metres.

“Rough And Ready’s first up run was good, he ran some nice sectionals and there were some nice horses in the field,” says Donnelly.

Rough And Ready spent the early part of the year racing in Australia without success, and since returning to Donnelly’s care has had just the one start at Alexandra Park 10 days ago. On that occasion, he finished fifth and although beaten a few lengths, it was a quality field with the winner being Always A Porsche, and Artisan and Mantra Blue filling the placings.

“It’s a nice race for him tonight starting only off 15 metres and he’s won a few at this course and distance before,” says Donnelly, “Wilson House drives him tonight and he’s been driving really well lately.”

Meanwhile Bad Medicine brings solid form to the race having won his last start at Cambridge on August 6, and placed third on his prior two outings. The Bettor’s Delight gelding starts the race off a 25 metre handicap.

“He’s been racing great but off 25 metres it will be a tough ask for him, especially with a couple in it that can run a bit off the front,” says Donnelly.

“Kate Coppins is driving him tonight – it’s her first drive for the stable and he’s a tidy wee drive for her, she’s driven a lot of track work on him so she knows him well.”

Next up for the Donnelly stable is Red Rackham in Race 6,the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace over 1700 metres. The Vincent gelding has won his last two starts at Cambridge, making easy work of it on both occasions.

“It’s a small field again this week and if he can find the lead and dictate terms, I’m hoping he might make it a hat-trick,” says Donnelly.

“He’s racing super and has really gained some confidence from his last couple of runs, I think he’s probably my best chance of the night.”

Red Rackham starts tonight’s race from barrier three with Zachary Butcher engaged to drive.

Donnelly’s final starter for the night is Cracker Rock in Race 7, the Friday Night Steak Night At The Clubhouse Mobile Pace over 2200 metres.

The three-year-old gelding went a bold race when fresh up at Cambridge a fortnight ago, when after a good run with cover, he made a strong run home to finish within a nose of the race winner Bad Medicine. He starts tonight’s race from barrier four with Todd Mitchell doing the driving once again.

“It was a really good first up run and he’s trained on well since,” says Donnelly, “it’s a small field tonight and given the right run he can hopefully make his presence felt.”

Racing action gets underway tonight with Race 1 at 4.43pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand