Gutsell trio out to improve tidy grass track records

The best possible conditions await siblings – by A Rocknroll Dance from the broodmare gem Insar – Insarchatwist, Hacksaw Ridge and Still Rockin at Gore’s grass track harness racing meeting on Sunday (Feb. 19). 

The Ricky Gutsell trained trio will attempt to build on their impressive records on turf when stepping out at the big Gore Summer Cup meeting.

Each of Gutsell’s full brothers and sisters have more than just their pedigrees in common.

In an impressive feat, Insarchatwist, Hacksaw Ridge and Still Rockin are all winners on the Gore grass track.

Still Rockin will shoot for a fourth win on grass and a third win at Gore when he starts in the Gore Summer Cup.

The five-year-old steps up in class after a last start win on the Oamaru grass, but it is nothing he hasn’t handled before.

“He doesn’t know his own ability yet, he only does what he has to do,” Gutsell said. 

“If they run up to him he just keeps chugging away.”

“With the way he goes on the grass and on the track, you would think he would be an eachway chance.”

“He seems really well, but he’s got a bad draw (7) to contend with.”

Oliver Kite drives Still Rockin while fellow junior driver Max Hill drives Hacksaw Ridge.

Hacksaw Ridge won nicely at the Gore Christmas meeting before copping some horror luck in his next two starts.

The pacer hit the deck at Cromwell after getting caught up in an opponent’s tyre tube, then he headed to Ascot Park where he never saw clear air.

A handy last start fourth at Oamaru suggests the four-year-old’s luck might have turned.

“He has had a bit of bad luck,” Gutsell said. 

“He is going near enough and his work has been good.”     

Insarchatwist clashes with another grass track specialist in Ariella in Sunday’s Southern Belle Series heat.

The mare looks a genuine eachway threat for driver Brent Barclay despite disappointing in her last start.

“To be fair I think I had her too pretty for her last start.”

“Like most mares when she strikes form she holds it for a while, she is no different.”

“She has been working good, I am quite happy with her.”

Bookmakers have opened Gutsell’s trio at the following prices: Insarchatwist $6.50, Still Rockin $10 and Hacksaw Ridge $7.50. 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand