Sires Stakes and Country Cups finals highlight big Friday night

Cold Chisel’s (Always B Miki) great run with big race draws this harness racing season has continued in Addington’s $160,000 Garrard’s Sires Stakes Final on Friday.

The wonderfully consistent pacer comes up with barrier 2 in the 1980m mobile and most importantly he has drawn inside arch rival Chase A Dream, who will start from barrier 6.

Cold Chisel has used good barriers to win both the Northern Derby and Alabar Classic this season and the draw gives driver Zachary Butcher all the options.

Cold Chisel was a brave third to Chase A Dream at Addington last Friday, closing late but the winner was so good it was an ominous sign he could be back to his best.

So their rivalry continues as they get to the half way stage of the three-year-old season.

While draws could be crucial in the Sires’ Stakes it will be stamina that ultimately decides the $110,000 Hydroflow Country Cups Final on Friday.

The race has drawn a fitting field to end a great series and being over 3200m there will be no place for the faint-hearted.

Stunning last-start winner Mo’unga probably deserves favouritism after his Rangiora win but he has drawn 1 on the 10m mark, which at least raises the possibility of traffic concerns.

He meets Team Telfer stablemates Alta Meteor (30m) and Beach Flybye (10m) as well as Northern Country Cups Final winner Smoke On The Water.

The $70,000 Canprint Bionic Chance Bracelet has drawn an even field as the juvenile fillies still battle to establish some pecking order and the $40,000 Heather Williams Memorial Trot looks Sunnys Sister’s to lose as she goes back to a mobile, albeit drawn 9, after beating many of her rivals off a handicap last start.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand