Stratford horses well drilled for racing on grass

Local harness racing trainer Tony Stratford lines up a sizable team on his home track at Gore on Tuesday.

Of his two starters In Race Two Peaky Lou (Peak) looks to be the best bet after an encouraging second at Ascot Park.

“Very happy with that run. She seems pretty solid, gets away well and I can see the same thing happening on Tuesday. She’s worked well on the grass, and I don’t think she’ll be a mile away,” Stratford said.

His second runner Judicate (Father Patrick) broke at her last start at Invercargill and Stratford says she’s a risk.

“The horse can trot but wants to gallop as well. She’s a bit of a head scratcher but we’ll persevere for a bit just for the fact that’s she’s got plenty of ability. If she trotted all the way she’d be hard to beat but overall, a big question mark.”

In Race Five Stratford lines up first starter The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheddar) who draws barrier two.

“He’s a very nice horse. He’s green but he seems to work well on the grass, so we thought it was a good place to start him off. With no bad luck I think he’d be pretty hard to beat in that race.”

Vincent Can Gogh (Vincent) is the Gore trainer’s second runner in Race Five. He draws out wide at barrier seven.

“I quite like him. He’s a nice going horse and from that draw he’ll go back and be driven for luck but he’s one that could pick up a race at short notice.”

Out of form Unsurpassable (Auckland Reactor) lines up for Stratford in Race Nine.

“He has ability but he’s just not showing it at all. He hung badly the other day, so we’ve got his teeth done. He’s capable if he got a bit of luck but the form doesn’t inspire you much.”

In Race Eleven Van Liberty (Sportswriter) starts in one of the feature races – the Cardrona Distillery/MLT Three Year Old Stakes where he faces New Zealand Derby placegetter Sand Wave.

“I wasn’t disappointed with him at his last start. He was always going to go back. They dashed a 56 last half and it’s hard to make ground round Invercargill when they’re doing that. He’s drawn to follow them through. If he’s tucked away not doing too much, he’s certainly a first four player in that race.”

In Race Twelve grass course specialist Lou’s Deal (Sweet Lou) represents the stable.

“It’s a handy field but he loves the grass and he’s got a good draw so he’s probably the pick of ours for the day.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink