Tidy book of drives for Sam Thornley

Black Mach (Mach Three) heads the tidy book of harness racing drives Sam Thornley combines with at Addington on Sunday (Jul. 9).

Thornley will be out to rack up another win for his boss Ken Barron when Black Mach starts in a junior drivers assignment.

Black Mach scored for Thornley at Addington a month ago and the reinsman has given the five-year-old the nod as his best chance on Sunday.

“I’d have to say Black Mach, he has been going pretty good races and he is quite a tough horse.”

“The draw (8) isn’t ideal but he can do some work, if they back it off at any stage we will be getting around them.”

Thornely also combines with the Barron trained Wolf Of Wall Street (Art Major) in race 7.

The three-year-old has one trial to prepare for his return from a spell after last racing in January.

“He had a trial and he got back and it was just a sprint home.”

“He seems to be working well and he’s got good manners, so we will be looking to step and get handy.”

Ceeubetty (Betting Line) is another for the Thornley-Barron combination and she looks a place chance in race 2.

Trainer and driver will also start Chrislynn in race 8, who Thornley gives a cheeky hope.

“She won her last start for Ken before she was sold.”

“She’s come back now and it will be interesting to see how she goes, especially from the draw (1).”

“She hasn’t had a trial but she seems well enough.”

“She’s gone well for Ken before, so you would think she would have to be a chance.”

Judgement Bay (Christian Cullen) looks the pick of Thornley’s outside drives on Sunday.

The Chris McDowell trained pacer comes into race 5 on the back of a nice second.

“She went good last start, she seems to be best driven for one run.”

“The last time I drove her she won a juniors’ race at Oamaru and she went good, so hopefully we can do it again.”

Thornley also drives the McDowell trained Gary Player (Imperial Count) in race 1.

The trotter may offer some nice value, though punters will be hoping he does things right.

“He is quite a nice horse, he ran past race winners at the trials but he got it wrong first up.”

“If he was able to trot he has the ability there.”

Sir Monty in race 3 is also among Thornley’s drives on Sunday.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand