Donnelly targeting dual success this week

Local harness racing trainer Arna Donnelly is hoping to start a huge 24 hours with a win at Cambridge tonight (May 18).

Donnelly takes her stable stars headlined by Kango (American Ideal) to Alexandra Park tomorrow night, where the big horse contests the Roy Purdon Memorial.

He warmed up for that with a strong win over Old Town Road at the Pukekohe workouts last weekend and Donnelly says the 2200m standing start with a 10m advantage over the favourites might be Kango’s chance.

“He is ready to go and ready to be driven like that,” says Donnelly.

“I’d love to see him get around them and even get the front but a lot of that might depend on what those on the front line do.”

Donnelly also takes New York Minute (Art Major) to a rare mid-grade pacing race at The Park while she has Virginia Clowers drawn the outside of the front line in the $57,500 Lone Star Sires’ Stakes Trot.

Before then she has a small team in at Cambridge tonight and says both recent winners Pacing Hope and Denny have chances in race 3.

“They are both going well so it might depend on how the race is run,” says Donnelly.

“Pacing Hope is a honest little mare who has won six races and last time she drew well and got the trail she won so she could win again from barrier two.

“Denny is stepping up from maidens and has a second line draw so he might need a bit of luck but I think there are more wins in him.”

Mr President (Sweet Lou) is a smart young pacer in Race 8 and while Donnelly says he is still filling out his large frame his last start third at Alexandra Park suggests he can win.

“He was attacked in front last time in a better field and held on for third and he can win for sure.

“There is a bit of gate speed inside him which could be the problem but he definitely is a horse who is going to win more races.”

An interesting stable debutante is Red Rackham in race four, who is a half brother to former brilliant pacer and now sire Tintin In America.

“He has real ability but he has got a tricky draw for his debut but I think he is one for the punters to follow.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand