Ameretto Sun somewhat of a grass and track specialist, could improve on his second in the Ordeal Trotting Cup at Addington.
Harness racing trainer Ken Ford has him primed to go close to winning todays Alabar DG Jones Banks Peninsular Trotting Cup at Motukarara Raceway.
Ford has a good record in the race, winning it twice, with Midnight Invasion (2008) and Zachary Binz (2015).
Zachary Binz who won on a bog track two years in the slowest time in the race history, is back again this year and will again be driven by Amanda Tomlinson, while Ameretto Sun will be driven by Sheree Tomlinson.
Sheree Tomlinson and Ameretto Sun
Destiny Jones who won the Ordeal Trotting Cup two weeks ago, will also be hard to beat in todays race. His grass track record is also solid with one win and three placings from six starts.
Destiny Jones will be driven by Ricky May who won this race last year with Harrysul.
Master trainer of trotters Paul Nairn, has the race favourite Habibty Ivy in todays race.
Habibty Ivy blew the start of the Ordeal Trotting Cup and was pulled up by driver Blair Orange, but she does have a tidy grass track record and the punters have made her a hot favourite today on the FF win market at $1.70.
Other good chances in the race are Belles Son, Arya and Pegusus Dream.
The big mover on the FF win market today is Gore Bay in race five. TAB bookmaker Steve Richardson said "they have really come for the Nigel McGrath first starter Gore Bay".
"We opened him at $19.00 and the money came straight away, with some solid bets right down to his current price of $6.50."
Trainer Nigel McGrath has a good record with three year old first starters on the track.
The Motukarara track today is rated as "Dead" with overcast conditions.
Banks Peninsular Trotting Cup History
Year | Month | Distance | Horse | Hcap | Owner | Driver | Time |
2016 | Oct | 2810m | Harrysul | 10m | K R Gardner, R J Shaw | Ricky May | 3-41.4 |
2015 | Sep | 2810m | Zachary Binx | Fr | K B Ford, Mrs A J Tomlinson | Amanda Tomlinson | 4-09.1 |
2014 | Sep | 2810m | Clover Don | 10m | G K Stevenson, Mrs J A Stevenson | Robbie Holmes | 3-40.7 |
2013 | Sep | 2810m | Jaccka Justy | Fr | C F Smaill, Mrs A G Smaill | Jonny Cox | 3-54.7 |
2012 | Sep | 2810m | I Can Doosit | 25m | Breckon Racing Syndicate | Mark Purdon | 3-42.4 |
2011 | Oct | 2810m | Vulcan | Fr | Mrs J A Butt, D J McKenzie | Anthony Butt | 3-37.5 |
2010 | Oct | 2810m | Springbank Richard | 20m | R A Smith, Mrs D J Smith | Nathan Williamson | 3-36.0 |
2009 | Oct | 2810m | Springbank Richard | 10m | R A Smith, Mrs D J Smith | Nathan Williamson | 3-45.4 |
2008 | Oct | 2810m | Midnight Invasion | Fr | K B Ford, Mrs A J Tomlinson | Blair Orange | 3-48.9 |
2007 | Oct | 2810m | Power In Motion | Fr | F E Wall | Ricky May | 3-51.1 |
2006 | Oct | 2785m | Play On | 10m | P R Lamb | Craig Thornley | 3-48.9 |
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