Dual-gaited enigma gets it right at Wyndham

The rollercoaster-like ride Top Pocket Chance has taken trainer Craig Buchan on hit another peak with the horse’s brilliant harness racing win at Wyndham on Thursday.

Top Pocket Chance broke a run of outs with the win in the Six Pack at Macca Lodge Handicap Trot after missing a placing in trotting races since his victory at $18 odds at Timaru in April.

But true to the form that the 10-year-old has shown throughout his six seasons on the track, the Mosgiel gelding pulled out an excellent performance to make up for his scratchy recent efforts with a strong front-running display.

“It has been a long time coming, between races, but on his day he does have some ability,” Buchan said.

“Some races he has been a long way back out of it and you wouldn’t think he could make up the ground that he does.”

“But he likes to keep going and he is a trier, he doesn’t like to give up.”

“That was his 11th win as a trotter and he is bred to pace so it is not bad going.”

TOP POCKET CHANCE REPLAY

Top Pocket Chance didn’t win like a $20 shot with driver Matthew Williamson driving the horse more like a $2 favourite.

But the reinsman had a plan to drive the horse to his strengths.

“He is one of those horses that in that grade, if he behaves himself, he is probably better than most,” Williamson said.

“It is just a matter of getting him around.”

“I just had to let him sit parked and hit the first corner and let him get his gait together and then let him roll.”

Top Pocket Chance hasn’t been out of the money completely since his last win.

The dual-gaited veteran placed in a pacing race at Ascot in June.

Buchan switched the horse to pacing because his horse wasn’t comfortable in his trotting gait, before then switching him back two starts ago.

“There seem to be a few horses doing it at the moment,” Buchan said.

“It was mostly because he was touching a back leg.”

“I changed him to pacing so it would stop and then I brought him back trotting.”

Top Pocket Chance gave Buchan win number 180 in his training career with his Wyndham victory.

Having retired from full-time training, the Mosgiel trainer is working one other horse alongside Top Pocket Chance.

Two races later, the Brent and Tim-White trained Clonakilty made it three from three as he continued his unbeaten run with a hard fought win in the Herberts Transport Handicap Pace.

The Downbytheseaside four-year-old trailed then led before withstanding a late challenge from Smoke On The Water to win by half a neck. Driver Kerryn Tomlinson produced a driving double, also winning with Tabasco.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand