Gore harness racing trainer Tony Stratford after scoring a double on his home track last Sunday, will hope to continue his winning streak when he takes a team of five to the Wyndham Harness Racing Clubās meeting on the grass at Cromwell on Friday (Feb 24).
Stratfordās days starts with Judicate (Father Patrick) in Race One.
āUnfortunately she keeps making errors. I think she probably would have won the other day if she hadnāt galloped down the back so it was a huge run (5th). If anything we are improving and she only made one mistake the other day. No mistakes on Friday and I think sheād almost be winning,ā Stratford said.Ā Ā
In Race Five Is He Watching Me (Heās Watching) lines up for the stable. She won nicely last weekend on the grass in her first start for Stratford but draws two from the outside in Fridayās race. She was previously trained by Brian Norman.
āWeāve worked her like any other horse since weāve had her. Sheās a nice wee mare and I like her actually. Sheās willing and does everything right. Sheās up in grade but I donāt think itās an overly strong field, so I think sheāll be an each way chance.āĀ Ā
In Race Seven Viburnum (Panspacificflight) gets the services of inform junior driver Max Hill and runs from gate one.
āHe was very very unlucky on Sunday because he never got clear air. The driver (Brad Williamson) told me that he was a certainty beaten. There is a Canterbury horse in there (Moāunga) that looks quite smart and whether my horse is up to that level weāll find out.āĀ
The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheddar) drops in class after running against the likes of Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) and With Style (Bettorās Delight) at his last start a month ago.
āHeās a pretty good horse this guy. I rate him highly and heās my best bet.ā
Stratfordās day is rounded out with Tuneinsportsfans (Sportswriter) who gets a second line draw in Race Ten.Ā After breaking at the start last weekend he made up heaps of ground to run third behind stablemate Vincent Can Gogh (Vincent).Ā
āHe got out of his ground early. Heās another one that hit the line very very well. After his Roxburgh mishap we freshened him up, changed a bit of gear on him and it seems to have worked. Heās a pretty handy horse and is a different player in that field.āĀ
For complete race entries,Ā click here.
byĀ Bruce Stewart,Ā for Harnesslink