Double Time blowout in Classic

It’s not often you get a Robert and Jenna Dunn trained horse at really long odds, but that’s what harness racing punters got today in the Robin and Geraldine Wilson Rangiora Classic.

Double Time (A Rocknroll Dance) was 12/12 in the betting with only two other horses in the fourteen horse field at longer odds.

After starting from the 20 metre mark, Double Time early on, was third last and in the outside running line. Inside the 1000 metres driver Bob Butt chose not to follow favourite Vessem into the race as he’d have had to travel three wide. Turning in, he was on the back of Pinseeker but straightening up for the run to the line Butt came off Pinseeker’s back and won the battle.

“All the big bangers were going up three wide so I took my chances, cut the corners a bit and it worked out good,” Butt said.

Pinseeker who also started off 20 metres was a brave second three quarter of a lengths back, with Commander Ben a neck back in third.

DOUBLE TIME REPLAY

Today was the eighteenth running of the pacing feature and the first time it’s been raced on grass.

The winning time for the 2600 metres was a very respectable 3-16.5.

The win was Double Times eighth and third on the grass and it takes his stakes earnings to over $100,000.

The win was Butt’s second on the day as he also won with stable runner Kourtney Kardash. It’s the third time Diamond Racing has won the Classic, Alta Orlando taking it out in 2018 and Classie Brigade in 2019.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink