Poutama heads south with three good chances

Pukekohe based harness racing trainer Andre Poutama heads south with three horses tonight in the hopes he can continue his good vein of form at Cambridge Raceway.

Since the shift of Cambridge meetings to Tuesdays at the beginning of August, Poutama has trained four winners, and a further five placings from just three runners out of his stable – Desert Dawn, Ordained, and Potter.

“The team has been racing well, Ordained in particular seems to really enjoy the Tuesday meetings” says Poutama.

Poutama lines up two runners in the first race of the night, the Christmas at The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace over 2200 metres for Junior Drivers.

In the six horse field, Louie V Tonne (Well Said), driven by Nate Delaney, starts from the ace draw meanwhile Potter (Sweet Lou), starts from barrier six and is driven tonight by Harrison Orange.

“Potter looks to be the one to beat on paper,” says Poutama, “Harrison drives him again tonight and we’re developing a good association with him, he’s had four drives for us for two wins and two placings so far.”

The four-year-old gelding has been driven by Orange in all three runs this campaign, all at Cambridge, for a fresh up fifth followed by two second placings. His most recent placing on August 27 saw him just 0.7 lengths off race winner Slots.

“He’s been working well and racing well, and I think he’d have to be the best of my runners for the night.”

In Race 4, the TFS Horse Transport Handicap Trot, Poutama trains and drives Ordained (Father Patrick) who is the sole started off the front line.

A last start winner when driven by Harrison Orange last week, the gelding was slow away from his 10 metre handicap settling on the fence toward the rear of the field. Orange was quick to capitalise on the gap created by a galloping runner outside him, taking the space to end up in the one out one back position where he remained until making his run at the 600 metre mark. Heading the field upon turning into the straight, Ordained never looked threatened and won by a 2.5 length margin.

“He’s ended up in the higher rated trot tonight despite meeting criteria for the lower rated trot which is disappointing but out of my control,” says Poutama, “in saying that he has come through his run good and is racing well and doing everything right.”

“I really can’t fault him and he seems to be loving Tuesday racing.”

Alongside his own runners, Poutama also drives the Stephen Doody-trained Jahi in Race 3, the IRT Your Horse Our Passion Mobile Pace.

“I haven’t driven him before, but he looks to be one of the better ones in the field,” says Poutama, “he has gate speed if we choose to use it and should be capable of crossing the runners inside him.”

The three-year-old placed third at his previous two starts at Cambridge and looks to start the race as one of the favoured runners.

Race 1 gets underway at 5.03pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Brigette Solomon, for Harness Racing New Zealand