HRNZ MEDIA BITES, FEBRUARY 28, 2012
Inter Dominion news: Sir Lincoln and Chariot King have until Friday to prove their fitness for the final on Sunday. Sir Lincoln had a foot abscess burst out on Monday and Chariot King was off colour following his trial at Menangle on Tuesday. Both horses will be vet checked tomorrow with calls being made then.
Fixed Odds out on NZ TAB: the NZ TAB has Fixed Odds out on all races at Menangle on Sunday. Kiwi horses are favoured to win five of the seven Group 1 races on offer. Those favourites are Rozelski ($2.50), Bettor Cover Lover ($2.80), Christen Me ($1.80), Terror To Love ($2.70) and Stig ($2.70). A pretty nice quintet!
Christen Me poised to win Chariots: He’s been the subject of a plunge since his win over I’m Themightyquinn at the trials on Tuesday. His run was every bit as good as the WA champ’s and he’s only racing his own age on Sunday. A quote from Anthony Butt, stand in driver in the trial reveals all, “he was never out of second gear”. Christen Me is in as a short as $1.80 to win the $200k classic but after seeing this trial you wouldn’t want your money on anything else . . . http://www.trotstv.com.au/?id=8101
Aussies coming for Auckland Cup: It’s been well documented that I’m Themightyquinn is now coming to the Auckland Cup next week but what is not as widely known is that star four-year-old I’m Victorious is coming too. The Perth-trained harness racers will be able to fly home direct from Auckland post the Cup so in actuality the travel arrangements work better for them as well as having the chance to run for $250k NZ. The NZ TAB has
‘Harness Hotshots’ available online: The latest renewal of NZ’s #1 online harness racing tipping show is now live for viewing on HRNZ or through Facebook, if you prefer. This week the spotlight is shone upon Alexandra Park and their Premier race card. Here’s the link http://bcove.me/dpr2xag4
Ken’s Countdown: As earlier indicated Ken Barron is on 997 driving wins in NZ. He has just the one drive tonight but has a nice book of five on Sunday incuding picking up a couple of Cran Dalgety’s. He’s a rough hope to get it done over the weekend.
Australasian Young Drivers Update: With six of the nine heats done-and-dusted below are the standings. The three Kiwi drivers have moved further away from the bottom of the pack after last night’s but finding it hard to bridge the gap on the leaders for now. The way the cards have fallen perhaps Zac Butcher is our best chance for success. Though seventh currently he has a handy drive in the first heat tonight at Penrith, around the ½ mile circuit and gets a good drive with heaps of gate-speed in the final heat on Sunday at Menangle. His second drive tonight has drawn poorly but is one that might be able to do the work to get him into the contest.
Points are:
1st Chris Voak (WA) 57
2nd= Ellen Tormey (VIC) 56
2nd= Rebecca Bartley (VIC) 56
4th Josh Dickie (NZ NI) 43
5th= Matthew Williamson (NZ SI) 36
5th= Amanda Turnbull (NSW) 36
7th Zac Butcher (NZ) 34
8th Kelli Dawson (QLD) 30
9th Todd Rattray (TAS) 29
10th Jayson Finnis (SA) 13
Courtesy of Andrew Morris, Marketing and Communications Manager, Harness Racing New Zealand