Stratford has a big team for hometown meeting

Tony Stratford has big numbers down to race on his local harness racing track at Gore tomorrow with nine runners set to start on the twelve race card.

The Gore trainer has two runners in Race Two – Asta (Bettor’s Delight) and Tuneinsportsfans (Sportswriter).

Asta led and faded out on his first race on the grass. He’s back to the grit and has the services of Blair Orange from barrier six.

Tuneinsportsfans hasn’t raced since February nor has he had any trials or workouts in preparation for his resumption. He cops a wide draw at eight.

Gati (Bettor’s Delight) was also disappointing on the grass at her first attempt on the surface. She was just nabbed late at her previous start and gets a nice draw in Race Four at barrier four.

In Race Five Stratford starts The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheddar). He had no racing room at his last start at Winton two weeks ago and draws six on the second row in a capacity field.

No Perfect Princess (Vincent) and Trendy Van Gogh (Vincent) both get second row draws in Race Six.

No Perfect Princess finished last at Invercargill four weeks ago and has been freshened for tomorrow’s race.

Trendy Van Gogh was okay at her last start and she also has not raced for a month.

Sky Patrol (Sky Major) is new to the Stratford stable after having two starts for owner Chris Gerkin. He draws the outside of the second row in Race Nine.

In Race Eleven Tony starts trotter Son Of The Cleaner (Love You) who broke when under pressure at his last start, finishing seventh. Although he’s trained at Gore he doesn’t always handle the smaller tracks.

The big bold Mataura BB (A Rocknroll Dance) lines up for Stratford in Race Twelve. The five year old gets a sticky draw on the second row.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink