Popular horseman, Craig Thornley, has a few good chances to put more ticks in the win column for the season tonight at Addington.
With 22 wins on the board for the season, Thornley is well poised to post his best figures for a number of seasons in the sulky.
Those numbers could receive a boost tonight with two very strong chances in Lavros Jack and Queen Bee Bardon alongside some other handy steers.
“It’s a decent looking book, so hopefully we can get a couple of results,” Thornley said.
Queen Bee Bardon has been a revelation in the summer months for Ashburton trainer Ben Waldron with the penny appearing to finally have dropped on the fledgling four-year-old mare.
Her four starts this season have netted two wins a second and a third with her last start victory at Addington the best of the lot.
She had the aid of a good barrier draw on that occasion and tonight meets a much stronger field, but her current form looks strong enough to make her more than competitive.
“She’s had her battles, but Ben seems to be finally getting on top of them.
“It won’t be easy from the barrier draw but you have to like the way that she has been going, she’s got a bit of ability.”
It’s been a confidence building thing with Queen Bee Bardon and it’s very much the same with Lavros Jack.
After taking a few starts to get the racing caper sorted out, the Russell Kennedy trained trotter is flying currently.
An introduction to mobile racing looks to have been a big assist to him as he struggled to find his feet early in stand starts.
His seventh last time out was a lot better than the placing would suggest as he weaved his way through from back in the field to make up stacks of ground late in the piece.
“He was a run short for that race, so he should have come on with the run.
“But it was a great confidence building race for him, he got in amongst everything and never put a foot wrong.
“He’s got a big motor and is getting better and better every time he goes to the races.”
Lavros Jack will start from the outside of the mobile arm due to being on the unruly from behind the mobile but his motor should take him a long way toward winning the race if the manners come.
Thornley also has good each way drives tonight on Loretta Franco in the last race of the night and Ranfurly Rulz earlier in proceedings for the Greg and Nina Hope stable.
Addington Selections – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Castlereagh, Majestic Hurricane, Well Defined, Thank You
Race 2: Missinmemate, Speedy Mach, Johnny White, Compliant
Race 3: Firenze, Madam Spur, Kingdom Come, Sugar Cane
Race 4: Let It Ride, Real Obsession, Grand Rainbow, Mr Kalypso
Race 5: Stars Align, Kitura, Reaza Grunter, Bella Jones
Race 6: Alta Orlando, Mossdale Conner, Maverick, Cullen Who
Race 7: Lavros Jack, Benchmark, Arditi, Missandei
Race 8: A G’s Whitesocks, Queen Bee Bardon, Bailey’s Rock, Cable Beach
Race 9: Master Lavros, Everybody Knows, Hey Yo, Harriet Of Mot
Race 10: Hilarious Magic, Pick Me Pocket, Mighty American, Sans Le Sou
Race 11: Loretta Franco, Camwell Park, Blue Chip Lad, The Golden Cross
Best Bet: Let It Ride (Race 4)
Value: Loretta Franco (Race 11)