Sires’ Stakes Group 1s are a key part of Show Day

Leading northern harness racing trainers Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan head to Addington Raceway with a formidable presence in both the Show Day Sires’ Stakes Group 1s.

Meant To Be is a $2.25 favourite in the $120,000 IRT Sires’ Stakes Series 2YO Championship (Mobile Trot) at 2.47pm and stablemate Youretheonethatiwant is the top pick ($3.30FF) in the $200,000 Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Series 2YO Pacing Fillies Championship.

Meant To Be warmed up with a trial winning effort at Addington last week, beating race rival, the unbeaten Habibti Pat.

Trained by Greg and Nine Hope, Habibti Pat is four from four but will have to overcome the outside draw with driver Blair Orange.

“She came through the trial really well. Blair was really happy with it and said to me to leave everything as it was,” said Greg Hope.

“She’s trained on nicely. But it’s not ideal to draw the outside.”

“We are going in hopeful but with them being two-year-olds you never know what could happen.”

Promising Phil Williamson-trained filly Atlantic City will be looking to follow in her older sister Empire City’s hoofsteps who won this race last year. Empire City will take her place in the $500,000 Majestic Horse Floats LP THE ASCENT slot race later in the day.

The Fillies Championship at 5.02pm has a very even looking line-up, with representation from all over the country, ranging from southern hope, the Nathan Williamson-trained Captains Mistress to northern stablemates Youretheonethatiwant and I’m Sandra Dee, and Hot and Dangerous for Brian and Gareth Hughes.

However it is local West Melton trainer Hayden Cullen that lines up three runners who all look to play pivotal roles in the race.

Winelight, drawn one and to be driven by Olivia Thornley, has overcome a minor setback after it was discovered she was “crook” after her apparent disappointing performance at Ashburton on Labour Day.

“We didn’t pick up on it until after the race as she wasn’t showing any symptoms and it only came up after a scope,” said Cullen.

“But she’s good now and I think she’s about back to where she was when she won the Harness Million.”

“We are rapt with the draw and looks a likely leader.”

If such tactics pull off this could create a merry path for stablemate General Jen and driver Bob Butt who draws behind Winelight and may track an economical run.

“On paper the draw may work out really well. She also seems bright and has come through the heat win terrific.”

“She suits one run at them so if she can stay handy she’ll be a good chance.”

Arafura rounds out the Cullen chances with driver Craig Ferguson and the Sweet Lou filly is not without a motor. After making a mistake at Ashburton on Labour Day she was massive, making up many lengths to finish fourth and only two and a half lengths off the winner.

“She lacks ringcraft. But at Ashburton that first corner comes up a bit quick and I think she just got a bit claustrophobic.”

“She’s trained on great and might surprise a few.”

The other Sires’ Stakes race on the day is the Bob McArdle Sires’ Stakes Southern Mares Classic (Listed). It is set to go at 6.06pm and features the Zachary Butcher trained and driven Mantra Blue, who is a $1.75 favourite to bounce back from her last star fourth at Ashburton.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand