Harness racing trainer Tony Stratford has a fairly strong team engaged for the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting at Ascot Park on Thursday.

The Gore trainer takes three good chances to the eleven race meeting in Van Liberty, Lovemakentime and Midnitetraintogeorga.

The best of them would be the first starter Van Liberty who has been burning it up at the trials and workouts the two months.

“We have had him from day dot and he ticks all the boxes,” Stratford told Bruce Stewart from Southern Harness during the week.

“He has got good speed and he is a good staying type of horse so I am sure he will run well first up,” Stratford said.

Top driver Blair Orange takes the reins on the smart Sportswriter 2yo gelding.

Lovemakentime is a green Always B Miki filly who has been thrown in the deep end according to Stratford.

“She is not little for a 2yo, she is massive actually.

“She qualified the other day and goes alright but she is quite green. When the penny drops I would say she will be quite a nice horse,” he said.

Canterbury driver John Morrison takes the drive on Lovemakentime.

Midnitetraintogeorga had a tough run last start but could turn the form around with in what is a an even field in Race 10 on the program.

Blair Orange will drive the 3yo daughter of A Rocknroll Dance today.

Harnesslink Media

Stratford team has a chance today