Faithful has home track advantage

Chelsea Faithful’s two runners on Thursday (Nov. 17) won’t have far to travel for their races at the Winton Harness Racing Clubs meeting at Central Southland Raceway.

Faithful’s barn is just down the road and her race day starters will just jog down to the track later in the day – no drama.

Tartan Raider (Bettor’s Delight) starts in race nine and Faithful is pleased with his form.

“At his first two starts he didn’t get the best draws but was finding the line well. The other day he went well. I just hope he can cosy up handy and doesn’t get too far out the back. He’s an honest wee fella, will try his hardest and shouldn’t be too far away,” Faithful said.

The four year old will be driven by junior reinsman Ollie Kite.

In the next race she lines up an in form Vin Scully (Sportswriter). He’s really thrived since joining the stable and Faithful has found the key to him.

“He gets a lot of TLC. I don’t do too much with him because he’s a naturally fit and a good winded horse. I didn’t expect him to run second at his last start but the way the race was run worked out perfectly for him. He would only have to go as good as that to be right there again.”

Vin Scully will be reined by Sarah O’Reilly.  

Westward Beach trainers Graeme Anderson and Mike Love also have two runners at the Winton meeting on Thursday.

Gotta Elect Bill (Auckland Reactor) lines up in the Breckon Farms Mobile Pace and Anderson says the three year old will probably need the run.

“We’re aiming him for the Wingatui meeting on 2nd December because he’s owned by a committee member there. He’s had one trial. He’s quite a nice wee horse and it’s not a large field (6) so he should run in the first six shouldn’t he (laughter),” Anderson said.

Onedin Hurricane (Mach Three) ran an unlucky second at his last start when resuming from spell.

“He should have won really. He got held up four back on the fence after drawing one on the second row, didn’t get out until late and stormed home. He’s a great chance but has an awkward draw for a mobile mile.”

Sarah O’Reilly will drive both Gotta Elect Bill and Onedin Hurricane.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink