Carl Markham is more hopeful than he is confident that he could have a decent day at Rangiora today.
The Methven horseman will take two horses over the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers to the Sunday meeting and has hopes that both could be right in the action if things go their way.
Still searching for his first winner this season, Markham will be hoping that either Midfrew Tarpediem or Jean Sebastien can get him that elusive win.
“You think you might have a couple of good chances, but you still need things to go your way,” he said.
“And that’s what we will need, I think both are capable enough. But you need the luck.”
Midfrew Tarpediem looked set to be a player at Timaru last week before he locked wheels on the home bend and lost all momentum. Today he has drawn to do no extra work from one on the second line and with a good run behind Articulight, he might not be the worst.
“He was travelling good last week but needs that momentum, this week should work out well for him.
“He’s best suited to sneaking through gaps and not covering too much ground and that should happen today.
“I think he can run a pretty big race.”
Jean Sebastien is on the quick back up from Addington on Friday night where he was spotted storming home after an early gallop in the Darren DeFilippi Memorial.
“I’m not quite sure what is going on with the galloping thing at the moment with him.
“He’s never been the most fluent of trotters, but he showed on Friday night that the motor is still there because he made up so much ground.
“I thought, looking at the field that he’s racing that if he did everything right and didn’t finish in the top three that I would be pretty disappointed.
“At his best he would be very hard to beat.”
Both horses will be driven today by Markham’s son, Jeremy.
Meanwhile, Gavin Smith will welcome back one of his more promising prospects in Red Moon Rising.
The three-year-old son of Artsplace hasn’t raced since finishing third to Motu Meteor at Alexandra Park back in December after being struck down by injury.
He won his debut at Methven prior to the Auckland trip, impressively and has always been held in high regard.
Smith has given the colt a slow, but solid build up towards a return to the track.
He’s had two workouts and a trial, with tidy performances in each and looks ready for a strong resumption today.
The standing start will provide arguably the most interesting part of his case today, but if he can safely navigate his way through that early challenge then he should be in a good space to become a major contender.
Go Davey, One Direction, Bet On A Rascal and Arizona Atom make up some of his tougher opposition.
Smith will also be looking for a double for the weekend with All Settled Down.
The racehorse-cum-broodmare-cum-racehorse again was an impressive winner over Donsmedad at Addington on Friday night and will be out to repeat the dose in the first heat of the Joan Belcher Legacy Fillies and Mares Mobile Trot.
Rangiora Selections
Race 1: #14 Don Pierre, #3 Franco Caliph, #11 As Kiwi As, #8 Mr Midnight
Race 2: #3 Fiery Comet, #13 Jerry Garcia, #10 Laura Bush, #7 Girls N Boyz
Race 3: #7 Tall Poppy, #5 Vyndetta, #6 Corena Lea, #12 Junkyard Mase
Race 4: #6 Donsmedad, #7 All Settled Down, #3 Rocknpop, #8 Sarah Palin
Race 5: #1 Articulight, #5 Rocknroll Nevin, #10 Midfrew Tarpediem, #3 Leading The Way
Race 6: #2 Jean Sebastien, #7 Another Chapter, #1 Monarchy Invasion, #11 Majestic Moment
Race 7: #1 Fear Rockn, #2 Flyin Milly Mac, #5 Theboyslightup, #7 Got A Beauty
Race 8: #5 Red Moon Rising, #7 Go Davey, #10 One Direction, #11 Bet On A RascaL
Race 9: #11 Franco Nate, #1 Jonty James, #10 Beach Skipper, #2 Machjagger
Best Bet: #11 Franco Nate (Race 9)
Value Bet: #1 Fear Rockn (Race 7)
Matt Markham