Bazooka resumes after a month’s absence in the Touchdown Rentals Pace (8.55pm), in which he faces barrier 9 in the 1980m mobile but encounters few horses with his natural skills.
While Beside Me ($1.85) looked like a superstar filly this time last year, Bazooka ($3.70) looked like an Open Class horse in the making a year ago.
“To be honest, I thought he would have moved on by now,” Reid admits.
“He has real ability, but he went through a bit of a flat period.
“But I was a lot happier with his second start in Invercargill (behind JT Boe) and he has been very good in the trials since.
“I think in the next three to six months we will find out what we really have with him.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he progressed to the edge of the open class, but that’s up to him now.”
Although an open class horse would win tonight’s race, Reid says the barrier draw does concern him.
“Because it’s his first run in five weeks, I’m not too worried about him rushing forward and trying to take the lead,” he explains.
“I actually think he might be ridden even better with a sitting position, but I realize that makes him more difficult to support.
“I like a bet and I’m interested in the horse, but to back him this week I’d like $4 or $5,” says Reid, somewhat optimistically.
Reid also has a real chance in the $35,000 Majestic Horse Floats Tasman Empress Final (7.56pm), with Nothing But You drawing barrier 1 in the small field.
“She is a mare who has taken her time to mature,” Reid explains.
“But now she is getting there. She has had two good races in Nelson and I think she will do well again.”
Reid is counting down the public return of his little superstar pacer Jumal, who was our best juvenile last season.
“He will be back at the trials on February 11,” Reid said.
“I would say he will have two trials and then resume at Alexandra Park on March 13 and go to the Harness Million on March 20.
“I just love this horse and he has come back great. He hasn’t grown much, which always makes you wonder if the others will catch up to him, but he has filled out.
“But he looks really good so I’m happy and can’t wait to get him back.”
For full race entries, click here.
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Reid #answers #Bazooka