No picnic in the park for Chilcott

Cambridge harness racing trainer Nicky Chilcott heads up the road to Alexandra Park for Thursday with six runners in her truck. They have mixed form, as well as a variety of draws to work with.

In Race One, Chilcott starts the out of form Private Eye (He’s Watching).

“He’s underperforming at the moment without a doubt. Being blatant he probably needs a change of scenery. This is by far the easiest lineup he’s met in a very long time. He’s been a victim of the rating system. He won two in a row and all of a sudden he was racing horses that had won a lot of races.”  

Phoebe Majestic (Majestic Son) returns to the track, having last raced in early December. In preparation for tomorrow’s race (3) she had a workout two weeks ago which she won.

“I’m thrilled to bits with the way she’s come back. They didn’t set any world records in the workout but geez she felt good, and her work’s been terrific. It’s a big field and she’s one of the lowest rated runners. I think she’ll race well but she’s one to keep an eye on in the next month or two. She’s going to win a race at very short notice.”

The consistent trotting mare Sacred Mountain (Muscle Hill) appeared to be unlucky at her last start, running home for a nice third behind the talented Dream On You (Love You).

“I was delighted with her last start. She was just in that race to prep for this week. She’s a way better short course horse. I was just hoping for a better draw. If she’d drawn handier I would have said she was very hard to beat. She’s in a really good space at the moment. I think next year she’ll be competitive with the better horses.”

In Race Seven Nicky lines up Blazing Louis (Sweet Lou) who’s got a nice draw at one.

“He’s a lovely horse and I’ve always had a big opinion of him. He’s probably a typical Sweet Lou. It’s about managing their head more than anything else. He won the Northern Three Year Old Stakes, beat some good horses, got a big motor and he’s come back super. I think he’s a big chance on Thursday.” 

Aged trotter Prince Envy (Majestic Son) last won in January and doesn’t have a great record at Alexandra Park.

“He goes really good sometimes and crap other times. He’s most potent when he can be put at the top (of the race) and he’s not going to get to the top on Thursday. He looks hard pushed.”

Miki Mikista (Always B Miki) gets a nice draw (1) to play with in Race Nine. In preparation for his resumption he’s had two workouts, coming in with a second and a win. 

“He’s got good ability but sadly he doesn’t have much of a brain to go with it, he’s just a big dummy. He’s going to get his chance from one. He’s got a lovely turn of foot. Sometimes he can get off the gate like a rocket. Other times he just walks out so we just have to hope that the real Miki Miksta decides to turn up. If he does I think he’s a good each way chance.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink