Kiwi raiders step out at Menangle ahead of Inter Doms

Jonny Cox is looking forward to launching his Aussie campaign with the exciting Pinseeker (Downbytheseaside) at Menangle on Saturday night.

Cox and Pinseeker arrived in Sydney late yesterday (Tuesday) along with the David and Stacey White pair Bet N Win (What The Hill) and Betterthancash (Art Major), who also step-out at Menangle on Saturday.

Pinseeker (gate four) will clash with Betterthancash (three) over a mile in the opening race on Saturday.

“I don’t know a lot about the form yet, but it looks a good starting point because we’re racing a class below the free-for-allers,” Cox said.

“He travelled well, had a jog around at Luke’s (McCarthy) place this morning and seems to have settled in well.”

Cox, who will do the driving on Saturday, said he wasn’t sure how quickly Pinseeker would begin from gate four.

“He’s had lots of standing start racing at home, but has been in more mobiles this year and is slowly getting used to them,” he said.

“It’ll be good to get this run into him two weeks out from the start of the Inter Dominion (July 5 at Albion Park).

“It also breaks the trip up a bit before we head-up to Queensland where we’ll stay with Michael Brennan and Darrel Graham’s old place.”

Although that first race at Menangle is for second tier pacers, it does include former Victoria Cup winner Rock N Roll Doo (gate 10) and James Rattray’s emerging Our Luciano (gate five).

Later in the night, Bet N Win looks superbly placed to open his Aussie raid with a win in a 2300m trotting free-for-all (race seven).

The best of Bet N Win is a league above his rivals where consistent Victorian free-for-aller Harry Stamper looks a clear second elect.

Regular driver Bob Butt will make the trip to Menangle to partner Bet N Win, who is $1.15 in early markets for Saturday.

One of Bet N Win’s key Inter Dominion trotting rivals, London To A Brick is a $1.10 favourite to win the eighth race at Menangle, the $50,000 NSW 4&5YO Trotting final (1609m).

On the same card, Brad Hewitt’s classy pacer Captains Knock gets his chance to return to winning form from gate three in the 1609m free-for-all.

Other major chances include classy mare My Moonlite Dream (two), Max Delight (six), Nyack (eight), Kingmaker (10) and Major Hot (11).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand