Local trainer attacks with large team tonight

Village Rebel (Raging Bull) may be the best horse in Nicky Chilcott’s harness racing stable but he isn’t that keen on proving it.

The under-rated pacer returns against two of his own stablemates in the strongest race of the Cambridge meeting on Thursday night, part of a nine-strong team for local trainer Chilcott.

All three of her reps in the 1700m mobile main pace have drawn the second line and with the sprint distance Chilcott says she would be surprised if Village Rebel could win but then again all he ever does is surprise her.

“I thought he was useless to start with,” laughs Chilcott.

“But he has gotten better every time we have taken him off the property.

“He is so tough and has already won four but at home you would never know, he just gives you nothing.

“I know he is a decent horse because of his performances so far but over 1700m he might be a little out-paced and be better for the run so maybe he is one to follow.”

Chilcott opts for Blazing Louie (Sweet Lou), who beat Kango and Village Rebel at the Cambridge workouts last Saturday, as her best chance in the race.

“He is a horse I have always really liked but he hasn’t had a lot of luck,” she explains.

“I think he could get a good run through from the second line and be hard to beat.”

Chilcott says her best winning chance on Thursday could be KD Royalty (R4, No.9) who had no luck last start but was excellent winning the time before.

Earlier in the night three-year-old age group-performing trotter Virginia Clowers warms up for her Victorian campaign in race 1.

Trained by Arna Donnelly she will join stablemate Kango on the plane to Melbourne next Monday for a Victorian Oaks and Breeders Crown campaign and looked forward enough to win on Thursday when a hard-held second in an admittedly slow 2200m mobile workout last Saturday.

“She has had a couple of mobile workouts to get her ready for Australia and she is going well,” says Donnelly.

“I know Thursday is a standing start but her manners are good and over 2200m I think she can win.”

Kango will have a workout this weekend before he gets on the plane on Monday and is likely to head straight to the races at Melton on Saturday week.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand