Tomlinson to take advantage of ace draw

Contrasting draws await Kerryn Tomlinson in the drivers series harness racing events at Motukarara on Sunday.

Tomlinson heads north to link up again with Razors Edge (Bettor’s Delight) in a heat of the Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Drivers Series.

The Jim and James Geddes trained pacer starts from the ace draw in barrier 1, a luxury compared to the barrier 8 draw Olive Cook has copped in Sunday’s Team Teal event.

Razors Edge looks a big player in race 6 on the back of two excellent second placings on the West Coast.

In the latest of those seconds, the pacer beat himself.

“When we went to take the front he clamped his tail and wouldn’t cross down,” Tomlinson said.

“Then after that he got keen, so it was a pretty big effort to stick on and run second.”

“If he hadn’t been naughty he would have got the front and put the winner three back.”

Tomlinson has barrier 1 to work with on Sunday and she plans to make full use of the ace draw.

“I am quite confident that he will be able to hold up from one.”

“With his form he is one of the horses to beat so we won’t be wasting the good draw.”

Razors Edge opened the $3.80 favourite for race 6 ahead of Chrislynn ($7) and Nyla ($6.50).

Tomlinson will have to work some magic with Olive Cook in race 7.

If she can find a decent spot for the Peter and Mitchell Robertson trained mare, the reinswoman is hopeful she can continue her great form.

“She is racing super Olive Cook.”

“It is a tough draw so she will need a little bit of luck but if she gets it she can thereabouts.”

“She’s been very consistent and she tries hard, so she should go another good race.”

Those who have faith in Olive Cook and Tomlinson’s assessment of the mare could have taken the juicy $18 odds on offer for the mare when race 7’s market was released.

Tomlinson will compete against her sister Sheree and mother Amanda in the Team Teal event.

Sheree is rated the biggest winning hope by the bookies with Classie Linc ($8.50).

Kerryn Tomlinson drives two horses outside the drivers events at Motukarara on Sunday.

Bono Brown and Hope For Love both look rough chances.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand