Race 1: SAUNDERS ROBINSON BROWN TROT ($30,000, 3YO & OLDER R40 TO R45, 2600m)
Despite having a lucrative opportunity, Judy J made it a one-horse race in the opener. Driver Sheree Tomlinson made a breakaway from the unruly in a large field and headed straight ahead. Majesdix and Matthew Williamson were doing well on the course, but on the way home Judy J left them to their fate.
It was the fourth victory for the four-year-old mare in 38 starts. The win, by almost five metres, followed Judy J’s second at Kaikoura’s last start.
“It was fortunate that Jude was in the right mood today,” beamed Tomlinson after the race, “she deserved to win a decent race.”
Judy J paid $20.40 and $4.80. Favorite Hoof It Hagrid had a good series, but disappeared before the home turn. The Judy J-Majesdix-Koko Kaboom trifecta paid $10,535.80.
JUDY J REPEAT
Race 2: HYDROFLOW MOBILE PACE ($30,000, 3YO & OLDER R40 TO R45, 1980m)
Ricky May has been winning races on Cup day for decades (think 7 NZ Cups) and he stepped up to the plate in Race 2 with the Regan Todd-trained Spirit Downunder. The in-form three-year-old was pushed into the lead with just over a lap to go and was actually led by Scrunch in the home straight, before pulling away to narrowly win in a highly competitive finish. Scrunch, second favorite behind Spirit Downunder, had put in a huge effort for driver John Dunn, who had to circle the field after starting from the outside of the second row. He finished third, just behind Flying Bird, who made a nice run in the trail ahead of Matthew Williamson. The Spirit Downunder-Flying Bird-Scrunch trifecta paid $44.90. It was Spirit Downunder’s third victory in 11 starts.
SPIRIT DOWNUNDER REPEAT
Race 3: MITER 10 WORLD DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 20 (MOBILE TROT) ($30,000, 4YO & OLDER, 2600m)
Race 3 was the 20th and final round of the World Driving Championships, with Phil Williamson-trained pacer and trotter He Aint Fakin starting a $1.75 favourite. He won his debut in square leggings and followed that up with a big performance for Italian Giampaolo Minnucci. He Aint Faking and another favorite runner, Donna’s Boy, went to battle over the last 1000 meters. He Aint Faking was parked but had enough in reserve to take a very impressive win. It was Minnucci’s second victory in the WDC. Canada’s James MacDonald finished on the field with Alotoftrouble, but he had a 15-point cushion for the day and did enough to clinch his second WDC title, having previously won in his home country in 2017. The trifecta He Aint Fakin-Donna’s Boy-One Over Da Line paid $16.50.
HE’S NOT A FAKIN REPEAT
Race 4: ALSCO UNIFORMS MOBILE PACE ($30,000, 3YO & OLDER R46 TO R50, 1980m)
With Tact Teva’s late scratch, Secret Agent Man started a $1.95 favorite for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson. But four-year-old Sweet Lou had to stay parked the entire time while Blair Orange and Taketheplunge walked to the front. Orange then rated his attack a treat as they came home from a fast-finishing Heaven’s Mark and Miki’s Courage, who got the gun on the trail. Secret Agent Man retained fourth place. It was Taketheplunge’s fourth win in 22 starts, with trainer Steven Reid also fielding the shortest favorite of the day, Jumal, later in the day. Taketheplunge-Heaven’s Mark-Miki’s Courage trifecta paid $211.80.
TAKE THE PLUNGE REPEAT
Race 5: AOTEA ELECTRIC HANDICAP TROT ($30,000, 3YO & OLDER R46 TO R60 SPECIAL, 3200m)
The in-form Dreams Pat was a $3.50 favorite but with his 20m handicap he was 20 lengths clear of the leader, Ready Set Jet, early on. He was launched three wide and parked outside Ready Set Jet for a while before breaking away from the fray. Ready Set Jet and Bob Butt had the measure of the field heading home but The Present Maker, piloted by Wilson House, produced a huge run wide to beat them all and paid $12.80. It was a stylish version for a trotter on its way to places. House was particularly delighted to win the award ahead of his ‘mate’ and co-trainer Jack Best. “I knew I had to be patient,” says House, “and the horse looked great and warmed up great.” The Present Maker-Paige-Princess Sadie trifecta paid $1325.60. It was The Present Maker’s sixth win in 23 starts.
THE CURRENT CREATOR’S REPLAY
Race 6: TAB JUNIOR FREE FOR ALL (Gr2) ($60,000, 3YO & OLDER FFA, 2600m)
It was Team Dalgety who took center stage in the Junior Free For All. Trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety achieved their 200th victory together when Franco Sinatra outsmarted Hadron Collider with their son Carter Dalgety on the bike. The same team will be the Republican Party’s main contender in the NZ Cup. It was a race that saw numerous lead changes, with Wag Star leaving early before handing over to Chase A Dream. Hadron Collider and Blair Orange then took the lead with one lap to go. Franco Sinatra was beautifully positioned in the one-one position the entire time and over the last 150 meters he passed the leader. Franco Sinatra had a double quote ($12). The Franco Sinatra-Hadron Collider-Smoke On The Water trifecta paid $1637.30. It was Franco Sinatra’s eleventh career victory. They’ve all been to Addington.
For full race results, click here.
By means of Dave Di SommaHarness News Desk
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