NZ METRO TC, Friday, October 30
Northern Velocity, assured of a top four finish first-up for Overport Lodge after the withdrawal of pre-post favourite Arden’s Choice from the Alabar Sires Stakes Heat at Addington on Friday night.
Race 3: LOUIE FINN (3, Blair Orange), 2600m std: “Providing he behaves and begins good is an each-way chance.”
Race 6: NORTHERN VELOCITY (1, Mark), mob. 1950m: “Drawn to lead and still well on the way up but I’m happy with her and she’s a top first-four player! Should be hard to beat.”
Race 7: PERISSA (2, Mark), mob. 1950m: “She’s racing great but this is a step up. Can upset with a top three place.”
Race 9: FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (13, Laura McKay), mob. 1950m: “Laura “peanut” McKay has her first drive and the horse should know his own way around. Its a nice field though and he will struggle.”
Outside drives
Race 1: CHEVRONS EASY (6), mob. 2600m: “Pressure is on being a G Beirne-sponsored night but can place.”
RIVERTON TC, Sunday, November 1
Itz Ivy Hillis, scheduled to make her race debut at the Riverton meeting on Sunday.
Race 1: ITZ IVY HILLIS (15, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Has got a lot to learn but has trialled up ok. Not the best gaited filly but an each-way chance even though the draw is tough.”
Race 2: ICE CRUSHER (13, Blair Orange), mob. 2200m: “Nice horse who has trialled nice and with luck is a big winning hope.”
Race 5: DERRINGER (1, Blair Orange) & CORINGA DELIGHT (13, Robbie Close), mob. 2200m: “Derringer is racing great and drawn good again with gate speed so should be a good each-way chance.
“The draw makes it tough for Coringa Delight but I am very happy with her. I would learn towards her out of my two but the draws do even things up.”
Race 6: PEGASUS HANOVER (1, Blair Orange), 2700m std: “Hasn’t trialled this time in. Usually doesn’t things right but take on trust.”
KAIKOURA TC, Monday, November 2
Dynamic Party, a chance first-up for the Mark Jones stable in the C1-3 mobile 1900m pace at Kaikoura on Monday.
Race 3: DYNAMIC PARTY (7, Blair Orange) & FAIR DINKUM BROMAC (9, Mark), mob. 1900m: ” I haven’t had Dynamic Party long but have been happy with him and on his work I think he’s a big winning chance.
“Fair Dinkum Bromac will need luck.”
Race 5: DANKE (12, Mark), 1, 10m, 2400m std: “Needs to begin and the track won’t really suit but Mark Mac (Namara, syndicate owner) wanted him there to race so he’ll go up and start.”
Race 7: MASTER LAVROS (7, Mark), 2400m std: “Seems well but its a super field and depends on how he begins. We will be looking for a real strong hit-out as he needs it so it might play into Stents hands but if I get around in one piece and am there at finish I will be happy.”
Outside drive
Race 1: DEBANEYRE (18), 2400m std: “Coming in fresh but ran second at the Motukarara trials. Was racing solidly in May but will need to get round them all so looking for luck.”