Coach Arna Donnelly is halfway by what may probably be the perfect season in her twenty 12 months harness racing profession.
With twenty 5 wins on the rating sheet, she wants the same quantity on the again finish of the season to succeed in her present PB of 52, which she achieved in 2021.
With horses like Kango (American Supreme), Jolimont (Candy Lou), Dragonstone (Father Patrick), Little Spike (Terror To Love), Le Main (Artwork Main) and The Surfer (Downbytheseaside) there’s loads of horsepower in her Cambridge barn.
Kango and Arna Donnelly after successful the Kaikoura Cup (Race Photographs Photograph)
One of many nation’s most promising pacers Jolimont, has received six of his twenty three begins over three seasons of racing.
At three he raced towards an distinctive crop of three 12 months olds, operating second to Don’t Cease Dreaming within the Group One Flying Stakes at Addington.
At 4 he went on a 4 race successful streak by March and April earlier than ending the primary a part of this season operating eighth within the G1 New Zealand Messenger received by Mach Shard.
“He’s again in work and possibly goes to trial subsequent week or the week after, so that ought to have him prepared for a few lead up races in Auckland,” Arna stated.
As Jolimont is now an R72 horse there’s no escaping the highest echelon of horses on this nation.
“There’s nowhere for the 4 12 months olds to go as soon as they’ve received just a few. We did have a few goes with the large weapons earlier than we turned him out however he raced under par. As soon as we turned him out he confirmed indicators of a virus and ten days later all his legs blew up. That’s all handed by now and he’s again and appears rather well.”
Donnelly has nominated Jolimont for the IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington in November.
“We’ll head south in early October, deal with a few races down there and see how we go.”
Seven 12 months outdated Kango has had eight begins this season for only one win. He’s a fourteen win horse who’s received over half one million {dollars} with wins within the Kaikoura Cup, the Franklin Cup and Celebrity Championship.
Kango successful the Kaikoura Cup (Race Photographs Photograph)
He was final seen in motion in Could when he ran seventh within the Auckland Cup.
“He’s a bit behind Jolimont. It’s arduous for these horses to have day out. He had some arduous racing and might be a month away from trialling. We’ve simply been taking it simple with him. A woman that works for me has been driving him over on the Jockey Membership to combine his work up a bit. It’s been a great psychological freshener for him and he’s actually loved that.”
Donnelly says Kango received’t be nominated for the New Zealand Cup this 12 months.
“He’ll most likely head south and possibly have a go on the Free For All on the second day. It means we don’t need to rush and make it to the Cup. He appears to race higher over the shorter distances. Kaikoura can be another choice.”
Little Spike was one of many early season finds within the north, successful 4 of his six begins and he ran a terrific fourth within the Nice Northern Derby. His final begin was a successful one at Cambridge in April.
Little Spike successful at Alexandra Park for Zev Meredith (HRNZ photograph)
“He’s most likely two weeks away from going to the trials as effectively. He’s come again good and powerful and appears improbable. He’ll head south as effectively. There’s the Flying Stakes on the eleventh October. One or two of my three 12 months olds may get a run within the Slot race – you by no means know.”
The Surfer additionally confirmed potential early this season, successful two of his eight begins. And he was given the possibility to check himself towards age group firm on the finish of his marketing campaign.
“I fairly like this man. He was most likely a wee bit weak final time in. He’s one other one which a bit of little bit of time has carried out the world of fine. He’s working up effectively and I’m getting him again on the observe.”
Le Main has received three of his 9 begins as a two 12 months outdated and has had simply two runs at three. He’s additionally on the listing of horses heading south for the wealthy racing calendar from October by till December.
“He and The Surfer will greater than seemingly trial this week at Puke. He’s fairly an enormous horse that wanted a while out and he’s undoubtedly grown. He’s fairly low within the rankings so hopefully we may give him a few good runs to will get his confidence again up. His work is nice and hopefully he comes again pretty much as good as he was at two if not higher.”
Three 12 months outdated trotting filly Dragonstone received as soon as and was given the chance to race towards the perfect of her age group in Group races on the finish of her first marketing campaign.
“She had a great spell, and we’ll simply play it by ear together with her. She’s solely been in work two or three weeks so she’s a bit behind the eight ball. If she’s going effectively we will all the time put her on the airplane as a result of it’s really easy to get to Christchurch now.”
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
