With five competitive heats on the schedule, veteran race caller Aaron White believes there is one race driver who looks particularly well placed to impress.
“On the face of it, James MacDonald appears to have the best pick,” White said. “He looks like he’s going to have a really good night with the horses he has.”
The Canadian, who won the WDC in 2017, is currently on 41 points after five heats in Kaikoura, 13 behind leader Gary Hall junior from Australia. New Zealand representative Blair Orange is ninth with 22 points.
MacDonald’s evening starts in Heat 6 (6.04pm) with Captain’s Secret, trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer. The consistent pacer has raced solidly in strong company and pulls well enough to be a factor.
Heat 7 (6.40pm) will see MacDonald pilot Trifolium, a trotter from Andrew and Lyn Neal’s local stable, before taking on his third ride of the night, Mick Konstantin (7.14pm).
“In terms of his best performance tonight, I’d probably go for Mick Konstantin from barrier one,” he said. “He’s a good, tough horse. Cambridge may not be his ideal track, but from then on – and with James on – that seems to be his best drive.”
MacDonald will then partner Sans Au Revoir in Heat 9 (7.40pm), another trotter with a strong finish who should appreciate a good run along the way, before rounding out his evening with Commander Lincoln in Heat 10 (8.16pm).
White says the overall lineup gives MacDonald plenty of opportunities to rack up points and keep himself in the mix for the WDC title.
“If you’re looking for a driver to follow tonight, I’d be on the Maple Leaf,”
While White was quick to back the Canadian, he also acknowledged the wider field and strength of competition in the championship.
“My favorite driver is of course our Kiwi Blair,” he said. “But Gary Hall Junior flies the Australian flag high. He doesn’t just run the favorites – he puts the rough in the right places and gets results, which is what you like to see.”
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Through Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand
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