The grass track talent of Ricky Gutsell’s brother and sister Hacksaw Ridge, Still Rockin, Inarchatwist and Baltic Star simply cannot be doubted.
The quartet can unofficially be called the first family of harness racing on grass tracks in the South and they have the statistics to back it up.
Few horses will step into Wingatui on Sunday with the record that Insarchatwist holds at the long-standing thoroughbred venue.
The mare won the Christmas on the grass meeting in 2022 and 2023 before running a close second last year.
Inarchatwist prepared for her return to Wingatui with an easy victory on the grass trial last weekend after keeping strong company at the New Zealand Cup Carnival.
“Her process was good, she really did it on her ear,” Gutsell said.
“She likes Wingatui, it’s a decline for her, but there are still some nice horses there.”
Gutsell has Hacksaw Ridge and Still Rockin in the Forbury Pacing Cup on Sunday.
Older brother Still Rockin defeated Hacksaw Ridge at home when they went head-to-head in a grass trial last weekend.
Hacksaw Ridge has a big handicap lead over its brother, who has to start from a 10 meter handicap.
But that doesn’t mean Gutsell is siding with the youngest of the duo as the best opportunity for his stable.
“Honestly, I think it’s about which horse gets the best run.”
Hacksaw Ridge is in action on Sunday after finishing second in last year’s race.
The six-year-old came second in the South Of The Waitaki event on Show Day, continuing his excellent form this time.
“If he could get away nicely, he could be there, because it’s only 2,200 meters and it’s difficult for those behind.”
“He’s a horse that, when he’s right, he’s pretty consistent.”
“He may not be a star, but he will go out there and do his best.”
Yet Rockin was largely unlucky in his final starting appearance at the New Zealand Cup Carnival.
The seven-year-old previously finished second in the Waimate Cup and Akaroa Cup, both on grass courts.
“He did well in those grass track Cup races.”
“He seems very good and I am very happy with him.”
“If he has a good run, he should have a good race.”
Baltic Star doesn’t perform as well on grass as her half-siblings, but she looks a legitimate chance of a spot in her first assignment on Sunday.
Although the mare has not placed on grass, she has placed in the top four a handful of times.
Harness racing hits the hallowed Wingatui lawn with the annual Christmas gathering on the grass returning on Sunday.
Jonny Turner’s Five for the Day in Wingatui
Race 10 – Hacksaw Ridge
Wingatui racegoers may remember that the grass track specialist finished second in last year’s Forbury Pacing Cup.
The pacer made a smart start, raced to the speed and rode a nice race.
The main difference this year is that Hacksaw Ridge returns with a much stronger form.
His second start at the last start at Addington was excellent and he has tested well on grass since.
Starting from the front line is a big factor for Hacksaw Ridge as he enters a stronger field than last year.
But if he can walk cleanly and race at the pace again, he will give them something to catch.
Race 1 – Air Waves
In terms of winning threats, Airwaves ranks as well as any of the threats emerging from Wingatui.
He brings great form to a very capable class and breed and has the early toe to overcome his broad drawl.
However, anyone who knows the southern form and knows this horse knows very well that there can be two versions of Airwaves.
The one who tries his best and the one who is just uninterested.
The former should be exceptionally difficult to beat and, judging by his form, Airwaves has been in a great space lately.
If the latter appears, don’t expect too much.
A look at the stat sheet suggests that Airwaves don’t like Wingatui much.
His best finish in five attempts is sixth place, beating him by more than 16 lengths.
While all of this doesn’t make his $2 opening price very attractive, he’s still someone to keep an eye on on Sunday.
Race 6 – Flashpoint
The form references of this three-year-old stand out going into Sunday.
He was runner-up in the Group 2 Southern Supremacy Stakes in the autumn before racing at Group 1 level.
Flashpoint would have to win or suffer a major defeat to suggest the form wasn’t a fluke.
And judging by his two runs back this time, he’s ready too.
The pacer was the first to park well in advance when he disappeared too late.
Then, in second place, he ran home nicely to fifth place in a more difficult field.
Third and fitter for those two appearances, he looks to have his winning chance.
Race 11 – Buffy Northstains
This mare loves grass paths like few who go to Wingatui on Sundays.
She brings plenty of recent form, with those efforts all coming on all-weather circuits.
Buffy’s last start at Timaru was good, she kept running after getting into trouble on the home straight.
Before that, she was caught wide and worked too hard in a competitive affair at Addington.
The switch to artificial grass is the key to her chances on Sunday.
She comes into a suitable grade and has previously defeated some of her main rivals on grass.
Despite starting with a 10m handicap, she looks like a big threat.
Race 3 – Hillary
Now that a girl has her name under her belt at 21, it’s fair to say that this mare has no guarantees.
And with eight starts on grass without filling a placement, she has been more likely to be disappointed.
However, Hillary seems to have a great chance of winning on Sunday.
Her third start last start is perhaps the best run of her career as she worked hard and fought bravely in the middle stages.
The field she faces this week looks a lot lower than the one she faced at Ascot Park, suggesting she can go two places better.
Hilary was defeated by her main rival Lydah Valley in her previous outing; However, on Sunday she would have to dress much fitter and it could just be her day.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Jonny Turnerfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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