Simon Adlam is taking three good chances to Methven, but is doing so knowing that anything is possible both good and bad.
The Mid Canterbury horseman will line up Meggy Mogs, Julia Lady and Motu Bettor Be Quick throughout the day at the 12-race meeting and with any lucky, there is every perceivable chance that he could be in line for a good day at the office.
“They’ll all need things to go their way, but with a bit of luck, who knows?” he said.
Motu Bettor Be Quick showed last weekend at Motukarara that there’s enough ability in the tank to warrant a maiden victory and everything is headed in the right direction.
The Bettor’s Delight mare, who is owned by Adlam, Graeme Bishop and the Kwik Quad Syndicate, finished second behind Sounds Like A Gem seven days ago, running home strongly late.
“She’s no star, but she should win a race I reckon.”
Drawn on the second line, following out the horse drawn one, Motu Bettor Be Quick should be able to pick up a nice trip just off the speed and unleash when asked by Samantha Ottley.
Ottley will also be on board Meggy Moggs who took no part at Motukarara last week when wiped out at the start.
“She’d been building nicely through her trip to the West Coast and then that happened which wasn’t ideal.”
Julia Lady is arguably the best of Adlam’s three chances based on her recent form.
The four-year-old mare has finished second in two of her last three starts, including a bold second last weekend and coming onto the front line from behind the stand barrier will be a huge advantage to her chances in the final race of the day.
“She’s racing great, she didn’t have a lot of luck early on in the campaign, but it putting it all together quite nicely now.”
Gerard O’Reilly will drive Julia Lady.
Tomorrow’s feature race, the Country Cups Final, is a small but select field.
Motu Premier, from the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, is the leading contender off the 40 metre handicap but won’t get it all his own way with Johnny Eyre and Mighty Flying Major expecting to draw plenty of support.
MATT MARKHAM – METHVEN SELECTIONS
Race 1: Sea Rover, Jerry Garcia, Spurred By Success, Here We Are
Race 2: Lucy Diamond, Sharknado, Rockon Styx, Fortune Tiller
Race 3: Aoraki, Majestic Hurricane, Borntobeastar, BJ Lindenny
Race 4: Sky City King, Chloe, I Am Yours, Dying To See You
Race 5: My Cash, Mrs Browns Boys, Forgot To Remember, Leading The Way
Race 6: Motu Bettor Be Quick, Bubble Gum, The Doorman, Real Obsession
Race 7: Redwood Invasion, We’ll Meet Again, Magnafique, Glenis Marie
Race 8: Clive, Unico Legend, One Big Fella, Errol Finn
Race 9: Buckeye, Sounds Like A Gem, Idealagain, Novak
Race 10: Motu Premier, Johnny Eyre, Mighty Flying Major, Karanga Red Fantasy
Race 11: Young Stranger, Habibi Inta, Sundon’s Flyer, Momentous
Race 12: Julia Lady, Midfrew Tarpediem, Little Bad John, Our Quinn
Best Bet: Aoraki (Race 3)
Value: Young Stranger (Race 11)