The big day of harness racing at Addington tomorrow includes as usual a big team of runners from the all conquering All Stars barn.
As he does most weeks, David McCarthy has done a runner by runner preview of their chances and with the kind permission of the All Stars Racing Stables, we reproduce that preview here.
RACE 1
Petite One (2) 10M
Form: Ran on well for third at Rangiora trotting solidly,.
Comment: (Mark)
"I am happy with the way she has been trotting since Rangiora and she went well enough there. Worked well Sunday and Tuesday and we have taken the half hopples off. I think she will be hard to beat:"
RACE 8
Classical Art (7)
Form:
Another game run in the final heat and has a shot at this.
Comment: (Mark)
"Not a great draw for her but she has the speed to go forward and she can be hard to roll in a fight as we saw in the final heat. These fillies are a headache to tip out because there is so little between them and it is the run of the race which gives the result. Awkward draw but can be in the finish"
Fight For Glory (6)
Form:
Just seems to step up to every challenge and last win most impressive.
Comment: (Mark)
"Well on paper at least she is our No 1 for this and on the track too. It was six weeks between races last time but she still won it. I don't think there is an option to go back from the draw in a race so short but that will depend on what happens early. The Orange Agent looks hard to beat from where she is drawn. Fight For Glory is well named and has the speed and I am certainly not counting her out"
Linda Lovegrace (15)
Form:
Fought on well in final heat but draw could be a problem,
Comment: (Mark)
"Not so many options for her from this draw. I was impressed watching her run in the last heat at her last start. She really did well in the run home. She can be a little unpredictable and I would say a place hope from there all the same. "
Supersonic Miss (11)
Form:
Outstanding run in final heat, unlucky and value here.
Comment: (Mark)
"Jim (Curtin) thought she was a bit stiff in the heat and she certainly had things go wrong for her at the wrong time of the race. That was her first start in six weeks and she always improves with racing. The draw is not the best but you never know how it might turn out. She is a value bet each way on her last run"
RACE 9
The Manipulator (2)
Form:
Special beaten really at Rangiora and tough to roll.
Comment: (Mark)
"A big run at Rangiora and he has continued working well. I think he is probably our best chance of the day. He has not had a standing start. We gave them both a bit of practice (Tuesday) and they were ok and I don't think he is the sort of horse who will be worried by it"
Lightfingered (5)
Form:
Wiped out of the race at Rangiora so forget that.
Comment: (Mark)
"Just didn't get a go at Rangiora (the first time he has missed a first three placing) so you can forget that. He has worked good too this week and has had some standing start practice and has done ok at it. He is also having his first stand. Not much between them but I just favour The Manipulator here."
RACE 10
Cash N Flow (11)
Form:
Won debut in impressive fashion which was a maiden but looks able to step up.
Comment: (Mark)
"Tim made the decision to opt for Motu Premier because he has another big one coming up next week but after Cash n Flow worked on Tuesday he wondered whether he had made the right choice. Jim Curtin will handle him for us. I think all four are smart horses and there is not too much between them. This one will probably be one of our better value bets if he can have some luck from the draw"
Motu Premier (2)
Form:
Won well in easier grade last start but has measured up to this sort of company right through.
Comment: (Mark)
"He is a nice horse and will win a big race and he has the draw to get a good trip here. He has the speed to hold up to get the right run. He is the sort of horse which hasn't disappointed us at all but he is a bit slower coming to it than a couple of the others. But he has run the times and he will be a chance and at quite good odds I would think"
Lazarus (6)
Form:
Been lacking race opportunities but makes the most of them and front line draw a plus.
Comment: (Mark)
"He hung a little, or more than a little, at the Methven workouts Tim told me. He has had a tendency to do that on left handed tracks. We have changed some of his gear and I think he will be fine here. I favour him over Chase the Dream in this race because of the draw. The other youngster will need some luck from where he starts but we should be able to make more of our own whatever happens. Change the draws and you would change your thinking. He seems well and he is well above average"
Chase The Dream (9)
Form:
Hard to fault it from any angle but the draw will be a challenge.
Comment: (Mark)
"On ability he still rates the best of ours in this race and it is only the draw which is the challenge for Natalie. But top horses can overcome most things and he has that good combo of having speed and being tough with it. So when I say I favour Lazarus there is not much in it at all."
RACE12
Kept Under Wraps (5)
Form:
Fought on at Rangiora but needed that run and has ability.
Comment: (Mark)
"Tim was a bit disappointed with him at Rangiora. He is a funny horse. Put too much gear on him and he gets worked up. Take it off and he just relaxes too much. We have put the blinkers on this week. I favour Hug the Wind but as I say this horse is not easy to read"
Hug The Wind (9)
Form:
Runner up in NSW Derby but draw the query.
Comment: (Mark)
"He is the class horse. We have put the blinkers on him too instead of the sliders just to sharpen him up. He disappointed in the Derby but he had some hard races leading up to that and I think he will be hard here even from that draw"
Courtesy of All Stars Racing Stable – Check site here