Southern big guns at trials

Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight), Robyns Playboy (Shadow Play), Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) and Street Art (Art Major) were among the competitors at the Wyndham harness racing trials at Young Quinn Raceway today.

In the R60 and faster workout over 2400 metres, Pembrook Playboy from the mobile held out strong challenges from Captain Tom, Street Art and Robyns Playboy.

“He was a bit fresh and he ran off the mobile pretty good. I had hoped he would be forward enough to race next week at Wyndham, but I think I’ll have to give him another trial and go into the Hannon (17^th September) fresh,” said Pembrook Playboy’s trainer driver Nathan Williamson.

Pembrook Playboy has run in two previous Hannon’s, last year finishing second to Akuta (Bettor’s Delight).

Captain Tom came a close second in the trial today.

“That was perfect for his first run back. He’ll have another workout in ten days and we’ll probably line up at Winton (23^rd September) where there’s an up to R70 mobile. After that he’ll be away to Christchurch, run in a normal ratings race leading into the Vero Stakes and then onto the Derby. He’s come back nice, he’s pacing good. I’ve changed a bit of gear on him and his hopples have gone out three holes,” said trainer driver Alister Black.

In third place was Street Art.

“I was happy with that, so we’ll go to the races shortly and see how we go,” trainer driver Craig Ferguson said.

In his limited career Street Art has won three of his four starts.

Robyns Playboy trained by Ross and Chris Wilson finished fourth.

“He went pretty good. It was his first run for a while. They went a slick last half and he blew out in that last 50 metres. I’m not sure whether he’ll race at Wyndham or have another workout, but he’ll improve on whatever he does,” said driver Mark Hurrell.

If Robyns Playboy starts in the Hannon Memorial it’ll be the fourth time he’s started in the Oamaru feature. He ran second to Classie Brigade (Bettor’s Delight) in 2020 and Henry Hubert (Bettor’s Delight) in 2021.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink