Hackett looking to go one better at Manawatu

After combining with local trainer Stephen Doody for four second placings on day one at Manawatu, junior driver Crystal Hackett looks well placed to go one better on several runners tonight.

“It was pretty frustrating for both me and Stephen running four seconds on Tuesday, but they all raced well and some should have improved off those runs,” says Hackett.

All but one of Hackett’s drives tonight are for Doody, and she starts the evening with Mr Monty in Race 1, the Happy Birthday Brian Gemell Handicap Trot over 2500 metres.

The Majestic Son gelding finished second on Tuesday, and although he was 17 lengths behind the runaway winner Quercus Rubra, he trotted well to run a solid race and finish 1.75 lengths ahead of the third placed Cosmic Angel. He starts tonight’s race off a 30 metre handicap.

“He did a good job on Tuesday, and it could be a winnable race for him tonight with a bit of luck, but so long as he trots the whole way we’ll be happy with him,” says Hackett.

In the Matt Hickey New Patron Mobile Pace, Hackett combines with Million Dollar Chic who is another of Tuesday’s bridesmaids when beaten 1.5 lengths by the House-trained Vincent Reactress. The Bettor’s Delight filly races a similar field tonight but starts the race off a more favourable draw of two.

“She’s one that has surprised us the last couple of starts and really shown some improvement,” says Hackett, “I don’t think a win is far away for her and hopefully tonight’s the night.”

Also second placed on day one was Jetasi, who Hackett drives in Race 3, the Life Member Don Haydock Mobile Pace. The two-year-old filly has had five starts for three placings and has shown improvement with each outing. She was beaten just a length on Tuesday after being briefly held up when awaiting the passing lane and chasing hard in the home straight giving an honest performance.

“She’s a nice wee filly but it’s a niggly draw for her tonight starting from six,” says Hackett, “There was a bit of driver error last start too which didn’t help, so I’ll be doing my best to give her every chance tonight.”

In the feature race of the night, the Palmerstonian Prelude Mobile Pace, Hackett drives Rough And Ready for Cambridge trainer Arna Donnelly. The gelding finished fourth in the Wairarapa Cup on Tuesday after sitting parked the trip and although he didn’t disgrace he failed to kick on in the home straight.

“He was a bit keen sitting out parked on Tuesday and had to roll on a bit, but I think he’ll definitely show benefit from the run,” says Hackett.

It’s in race six, the Happy Birthday Stephen Gillies Mobile Pace, that Hackett drives what she thinks is her best chance of the night, Doo You Want Me. The two-year-old by Captain Crunch has shown ability in his five starts to date and was a winner here on November 4 when he dictated terms in front to claim an easy maiden victory.

“It is going to be a bit harder for him tonight from the wide barrier (6) but he’s a nice horse and I think he’s capable of getting over top of this field,” says Hackett, “He’s a horse that I’m looking forward to driving and hoping to stick with in the future.”

Hackett’s other drives for the night are Inlouof (7) in race five, and Baliey’s Pitch (3) in race seven.

“Inlouof will find it tough starting from the wide draw, but Bailey’s Pitch will give a good account of himself, he’s an honest horse and always running on in the finish.”

Racing action gets underway tonight with Race 1 at 5.43pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand