Southerners out to create Kaikoura history

Three southern bred pacers have previously won the Kaikoura Cup, but the Group Three harness racing feature has never been won by a pacer trained in the south.

Trusty Scott (1987), Smiling Shard (2010 and 2011) and Arden Rooney (2014 and 2015), all bred south of the Waitaki have won the Cup but were trained outside of the region.

But on Monday (Oct. 31) Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight), One Change (Bettor’s Delight) and Macandrew Aviator (Panspacificflight) will get their shot at creating history in the $50,000 feature. But they’ll be up against glamour three year old Akuta (Bettor’s Delight).

The Nathan Williamson trained Pembrook Playboy is perhaps the region’s best chance. He ran a creditable fifth in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and Akuta aside, this looks a far easier task.

“It wasn’t a bad run at Ashburton and there was a moment when I thought he’d finish close to them but he just peaked on his run. Hopefully that race will bring him on. He had a good blow after and I don’t think Kaikoura (track) will bother him because he’s a lovely pacer. If we can get an improved race this week I don’t see any reason why he won’t go a big race in the cup (NZ Cup),” Williamson said.

One Change trained by Amber Hoffman at Waikouaiti comes into Monday’s race with just one start under his belt this campaign, finishing seventh behind BD Joe at Addington two weeks ago.

“We were happy with his first up run. It’s just a shame he’s got a bad draw because he’s better by the fence (inside). We would have liked to have another start going into this race, but he’s had quite bad foot problems, but they’re under control now. He is very well. We’re not too worried if we don’t get into the Cup because there are other races for him. We just don’t want to push him,” Hoffman said.

The six year old gelding is currently ranked as 20th, five points outside the Cup cut off point.

Trained by Kirstin Green, Macandrew Aviator currently sits in twenty first place in the IRT New Zealand Cup ranking and will need to run in the money on Monday to get into the Cup.

He was scratched in the Ashburton Flying Stakes.

“He had foot issues, and you can’t go into races like that at 95%. Kaikoura was always on the radar. If he’d placed at Ashburton, we wouldn’t have worried about going there. He’s a lot more tractable than he used to be so I don’t think the track will be an issue. He can get round Invercargill (Ascot Park). He’s not drawn that well and he’ll be out in the three wide line at some stage. I think he’ll go well,” Barclay said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink