O’Reilly to be rewarded again today

Sarah O’Reilly’s dedication is set to be rewarded again at Reefton on Sunday (Mar 12).

O’Reilly is one of three harness racing drivers, along with Blair Orange and Samantha Ottley, who will compete at all four South Island meetings this week.

The trio have driven at Oamaru, Westport and Invercargill and will head back to the West Coast for the ten-race card at Reefton on Sunday.

While Orange has deservedly captured headlines for his outstanding success this week, O’Reilly has held her own with wins at each of the three meetings leading into the Reefton meeting.

Among those victories was the junior driver’s win with Kingstown Atom (American Ideal) at Westport on Friday.

O’Reilly rates the pacer among her strongest winning chances on Sunday.

“I would have to say Kingstown Atom is probably my best chance.”

“He stays in the same grade after his win on Friday and he’s got a nice draw.”

Kingstown Atom starts in Sunday’s Team Teal Challenge Pace while O’Reilly links up with Kohli Trouble in Sunday’s Teal Teal Challenge Trot.

The reinswoman looks to have strong chances in both races with Kohli Trouble dropping in grade after chasing Royal Del home on Friday.

“He likes the grass and I’d say he’d be an eachway chance because he was in a tougher race on the first day and he has dropped back into the Teal trot which is only up to rating 48.”

Sisters Delight has been in outstanding form recently and she looks another key chance for O’Reilly in race 9.

“She has been going great and she should go another good race.”

Champagneandwine backs up after a solid fourth on Friday with O’Reilly’s main concern the horse’s barrier 1 starting spot in race 8.

“She went good on Friday but she has drawn on the fence on Sunday, so hopefully she won’t get stuck there.”

“If the speed is on, she should be there at the finish.”

Veteran mare Olde Oak Emma ran a cheeky race at Westport on Friday and will be far from O’Reilly’s worst chance on Sunday when she starts in race 7.

“She ran home quite well on the first day.”

Sinai Sermon looks the best of the junior driver’s remaining chances.

The full brother to Lazarus started twice at Cromwell recently and he ran home well in the second of those runs.

O’Reilly also combines with Swift Dream, Reigning Arden, Gosakhi and Jasprit Trouble at Reefton.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for HRNZ