Hope out to continue strong start

Ben Hope will be out to continue the strong start he has made to his harness racing training career at Addington on Sunday.

Hope debuts Pembrook’s Princess (Sweet Lou) from his stable on the back of a nice trial effort at Rangiora recently.

Downed late by Raging On, the pair will go head to head in race 3.

“She is a mare that I have had for about two months now.”

“She has got some ability there but she hasn’t been easy.”

“She can get a bit keen, so I have been working on that.”

“On her training, she has certainly got the ability to be in with a shot.”

“I was happy with her trial.”

“The 1 horse looks hard to beat but hopefully we should be an each way chance.”

Hope also combines with his parents Greg and Nina when driving the consistent Bettorlini in race 6.

There looks little reason why the mare can’t go another tidy race on the back of her two recent third placings.

“She has been going good races lately, she has been getting good trips but in saying that she looks like she will get a good run from the draw again.”

“Hopefully they go really hard, she can’t really afford to do any work, but if they go hard she will certainly come into it with her speed.”

Greg and Nina Hope start both Racingmissgracie (Shadow Play) and Westar Lad in race 1 on Sunday.

Ben takes the reins behind Racingmissgracie, but punters shouldn’t read too much into that.

“I wouldn’t take any notice of me driving Racingmissgracie.”

“There isn’t much between them at all. “

“I think Westar Lad might be the slightly better chance with his experience.”

“He has been close to them and nearly all of his run have been commendable.”

“Racingmissgracie is quite well mannered, so hopefully she is one of the first away.”

“If she can get a nice trip, she is a top four chance.”

Ricky May will drive Westar Lad.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand