Wolfe’s Winton Six

Gore trainer Tony ‘Wolfe’ Stratford kicks off the second part of the Southern harness racing season with six runners carded to run at Winton on Thursday.

Son Of The Cleaner (Love You) who’s a recent addition from Tony Barron’s stable has been a bit of a problem child in his short career.

“He seems to know how to gallop and does it more often than not. He’s owned down here, and Tony sent him down thinking that the racing isn’t as hard as it is up in Canterbury for those maiden trotters. He’s trotted really nice since we’ve had him. He was good at the workouts a couple of weeks ago. I think if he kept his feet in the right place, he’d be pretty hard to beat,” Stratford said.

Mataura B B (A Rocknroll Dance) is down to run in Race Two. He an improvers race at his last start at the end of June finishing third.

“He had two weeks off. He hasn’t been anywhere (workouts/trials), but he hasn’t lost much fitness. His work’s been good round here and it’s not a deep field. There were positive signs in that last start third so he’s definitely a top three chance.”

First starter Artmore (Art Major) has been solid at trials and is another horse to have joined the Stratford barn recently. She draws nicely at four in a nine horse field.

“She’s had a couple of trials. In the first one she led up and went about 3-04 with a 58 half. The other day we just sat in behind and had a quiet run. The trial looked like it was from a horse that wouldn’t be a mile away when it steps out. I like her, she shows a lot of positive things and I expect her to be a top three chance as well.”

In Race Four Van Liberty (Sportswriter) comes in fresh after last racing in February.

“We’ve had him from day dot. He’s a lovely horse but he just went through a flat patch last year. He’s only a wee fella. He’s had a good break and he does seem to have developed a bit. The best version of him wouldn’t be a mile away.”

Judicate (Father Patrick) rounds the Stratford day off in Race Six. He was inconsistent last time in but was good enough to win a race at Ascot Park in March.

“Enormous ability this horse, but he knows how to gallop and broke the other day at the trials. If he puts his feet in the right place it can run but if he doesn’t, he’s no chance.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink