Tony Herlihy talks Alexandra Park

Papakura harness racing driver Tony Herlihy takes some strong winning chances to Alexandra Park on Thursday night with Dontstopmenow (Captaintreacherous) and Jethro Bodine (Sweet Lou) looking like his best chances.

Tony has Harold Hanover (Rocknroll Heaven) and Major Jay (Art Major) in Race Three.

Harold Hanover has a very consistent form line, but he was run down at his last start at Alexandra Park when favourite.

“He’s probably better now than he was that night. He just wasn’t quite himself last time. We’ve freshened him up and he seems nice and bright again. The run (on Thursday) won’t do him any harm either. He trialled quite nice the other day at Pukekohe,” Herlihy said.

Two year old Major Jay is resuming after last racing in March in a Group race. He’s had two trials to get him ready for Thursday’s assignment.

“I’m pretty happy with him. The draw (8) is the worst thing I suppose. He’s got a wee bit going for him, a bit of class about him. He should be in with a good runner’s chance even though it’s a handy little maiden field.”

Yourdoinamazinsweety (Sunshine Beach) is one of two runners for Herlihy in Race Five. The two year old gets a nice draw at one. He didn’t get a clear run at them at his last start.

“He sat parked for a fair bit of the trip the other night and he went better than he did first up. He’s seemed to have worked on nice enough. The draw will be a help to him because he likes to race handy.”

Park Lane (Art Major) is Herlihy’s second runner. He won two starts ago and was a solid seventh at his last start.

“He wasn’t far away. He’s just a runner’s chance.”

In Race Six, two wins trotter Regal Girl (What The Hill) starts from the outside of the front row. Her form has been solid this time in.

“She was a little bit unlucky not to run in the money last time. She seems to be getting better with a little bit of racing, so I think she’ll be in with a chance. She’s a nice wee filly.”

Quality three year old pacer Jethro Bodine (Sweet Lou) has won three of his four starts this time in. He has a power of gate speed but draws the outside of the mobile in Race Seven.

“There’s a bit of speed in the field and whatever he does on Thursday he’ll improve. He’s had a freshen up. Yeah, he’s a nice guy that just may need a bit of luck.”

Dontstopmenow (Captaintreacherous) has plenty of upside having won four of his six starts. He faces a small field of mid-grade race hardened pacers in Race Eight.

“He’s done a really good job so far. He’s certainly stepped up in the grades in his last couple of starts against those sorts of horses. He got a nice trip, but he did win nicely last time so I think he’ll be a good chance again. With Major Jay, he’s my best bet of the night.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink