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Kango to race in Australia before New Zealand Cup campaign

16 August 2023 , NewsBy Michael GuerinOne of the giant killers of pacing is heading to Victoria to prepare for the New Zealand Cup.Cambridge pacer Kango and his trotting stablemate Virginia Clowers will travel together to Victoria for trainer Arna Donnelly.“I think it is a really good way for him to have good, consistent racing with some good stakes,” says Donnelly“So he will head over soon and if he is racing well in a month or six weeks he could contest the Victoria Cup (October 14)...

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R2 @ 6:17pm - #2 Tequila SunriseI'm really happy with the way she's progressed at the workouts.  Having said this, it's a big occasion for her with a full field of maiden trotters.  If she does everything right, I'm sure she'll run a solid race....

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R7 @ 8:09pm - #4 Major Major & #6 Le MajorWe start with Major Major who has had 3 quiet workouts to prepare.  He's progressed nicely with each outing and we'll be looking for him to take the next step.  I'm hoping we see him finishing the race off.Our second runner is Le Major.  While he's only had one workout back, he's quite a natural type.  Whatever he does he'll improve on, but on ability you can't leave him out.R10 @ 9:24pm - #4 Third TimeIt ...

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R2 @ 6:15pm - #9 Red RackhamIt was a super effort last start to loop them on a hot pace and only be denied late.  Even from his unruly draw, I think he's a very strong hope.R3 @ 6:40pm - #10 Pacing HopeOn exposed form she slides into the race nicely.  With a drag into it she's one to cover in combinations.R5 @ 7:41pm - #3 Third TimeWhile he's drawn perfectly, it's a handy field of one win pacers.  I see him as a tidy each-way chance.R8 @ 9:11pm - #6 New York MinuteBeing ...

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R4 @ 6:41pm - #7 MannionIt's another nasty draw but he meets a very moderate line up.  On his Auckland form last week, he'd have to be a tidy each-way player....

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Race 3 @ 6:53pm - #8 Red RackhamWe're definitely on the winning edge with this big guy.  He's gaining more confidence every time he steps out.  There's a couple of handy maidens in here, but I'm sure he'll run a very nice race.Race 5 @ 7:53pm - #1 Mannion & #8 Pacing HopeAfter a run of terrible draws Mannion has turned up the ace.  It's an even line up but he gets his chance.  With a cosy run on the markers I expect him to be right in the fight.Our sec...

AROUND THE STABLES with Garrick Knight

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Race previews

R4 @ 6:44pm - #8 MannionThis guy has had 4 starts back and he's drawn 8 on three occasions, and 7 the other.  He's actually racing better than it looks on paper.  Let's hope he can take a sit and finish the race off.  He's certainly one to look out for once he pulls a draw.Race 5 @ 7:09pm - #11 Pacing HopeA second row draw over the sprint trip makes it a tough ask.  She'll run her usual honest race.  Always a top four or five chance and the harder they go ...

Our Southern find chalking up the wins

When you watched his first 7 starts he looked like a mediocre maiden who didn't stamp his trial and workout form.That's now in the past for Denny after he notched up win number 3 since joining our team."When he arrived less than two months ago we didn't know what to expect" said Donnelly.  "We gave him a few days off then jogged him for a week.  It's fair to say we were quietly surprised when we hoppled him for the first time.  While we don't do a lot with him, and don't generally...

Arna's major players for Alexandra Park

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R2 @ 6:18pm - #3 Pacing HopeShe got her run last week and duly obliged.  With a handy trip I'd like to think she can find her way into the top four or five.  However, a win would be better given her connections have named the race after her and late part owner Terry Walker.R4 @ 7:10pm - #1 Denny & #4 Third TimeWe start with Denny who couldn't find clear air last start.  I'm hoping he can do enough to hold up.  If...

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Race 3 @ 6:19pm - #5 Virginia ClowersIt looked like it was her race last week before she made a costly break.  Stick with the ship, cause I'm confident she'll make amends.Race 4 @ 6:44pm - #7 MannionIt was a non-event first up but a wide draw over the sprint trip makes it hard.  I'm hoping he can take a sit and finish the race off....

Super wins by both Third Time and New York Minute

Thursday night at Alexandra Park saw Arna Donnelly Harness Racing add another 2 winners to the season tally.Third Time, Kango's half brother picked up his first victory at only his second start.  Later in the night we saw the ever loyal New York Minute notch up his fourteenth win.Third Time was driven to perfection by stable junior driver Zev Meredith.  Donnelly was full of praise for the up and coming driver.  "Zev let him balance up off the mobile before making his run for the t...

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Race 1 @ 5:25pm - #7 Virginia ClowersIt's a big drop in grade for her and the way she's been racing against Group company it looks as though she'll be hard to beat.Race 2 @ 5:52pm - #4 Third TimeA super effort for second first up at big odds.  He has a handy draw to play with so must be considered a lovely each way chance.Race 5 @ 7:08pm - #5 Pacing HopeShe all but got there last week.  Skylou looks awfully hard to contain but I'm sure she'll go another honest race. ...

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Race 4 @ 6:42pm - #13 Red RackhamHe made up nice ground in the run home first up.  He's still learning his trade, but I do have quite a bit of time for him.  With luck he can feature.Race 6 @ 7:40pm - #7 CrusaderIt's going to be a tough ask off 25 metres.  There are a couple of very smart co back markers who are dropping in grade.  Realistically I think he's a trifecta/first four chance.Race 8 @ 8:48pm - #8 MannionHe ran a very nice last 800 at the workouts on ...

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Race 2 @ 6:00pm  #10 Third Time (Zev Meredith)He's making his debut after a good qualifying effort.  It's a big field of maidens with a few handy ones in it.  Whatever he does he'll improve on, but I do expect him to finish the race off.Race 4 @ 6:52pm  #2 Mr President (Todd Mitchell)This guy has been taken on his last few starts but has still managed to run a couple of super races.  A handy draw over the sprint distance makes him an appealing each way chance.R...

A super couple of nights for the team

We started the ball rolling at Cambridge on Thursday then backed this up quickly at Northern Headquarters on Friday night.  Across the 2 meetings the team managed to pick up 2 wins and 4 placings.It started with Crusader who notched up career win number 5 from a second row draw.  Being the highest assessed horse in the race he looked in with a good chance despite drawing awkwardly in what was a full field."He's a horse who probably flies under the radar in fairness, " sa...

Kango just too good in Roy Purdon Memorial

By Michael GuerinKango may no longer be a one-trick pony, even if it is a pretty good trick.The mammoth Cambridge pacer used that trick, leading and outstaying his rivals, to down hot favourite Self Assured in the $45,000 Roy Purdon Memorial at Alexandra Park on Friday night, with Heza Sport a close up third on his track debut.Those same tactics have won Kango a Franklin Cup and Kaikoura Cup, those valuable races just below the absolute best races like next Friday’s Auckland Cup.Kango has of c...

Donnelly aiming for dual success at Cambridge and Auckland

By Michael GuerinLocal trainer Arna Donnelly is hoping to start a huge 24 hours with a win at Cambridge tonight.Donnelly takes her stable stars headlined by Kango to Alexandra Park tomorrow night, where the big horse contests the Roy Purdon Memorial.He warmed up for that with a strong win over Old Town Road at the Pukekohe workouts last weekend and Donnelly says the 2200m standing start with a 10m advantage over the favourites might be Kango’s chance.“He is ready to go and ready to be driven...

Race previews

Race 3 @ 6:23pm - #2 Pacing Hope & #12 DennyWe start with Pacing Hope who didn't get the rub of the green last week.  From her handy draw she looks one to cover in minor combinations.Hats off to Denny who kicked off his Northern debut in style.  A second row draw and big field makes it a tough ask, but on exposed form he's not without a chance.Race 4 @ 6:50pm - #7 Red RackhamOur debutant Red Rackham has had two workouts and progressed ni...

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Race 4 @ 6:49pm - #1 DennyOur new recruit has been blessed with a great draw for his Northern debut.  We've had him just over a month and while his work has been nice, he'll definitely benefit from the outing.  Having said this, I think he'll run a tidy race.Race 8 @ 8:41pm - #7 Pacing HopeIt was a great effort last week to bring up win number 6.  She's drawn a bit wide so we'll look to take a sit and get home.  I see her as one to cover in all combinations....

The silent achiever who flies under the radar

She's the silent one who generally backs up week after week and always gives her best.  Yes none other than Pacing Hope.At Alexandra Park on Thursday she secured career win number 6 after trailing then getting up the passing lane late in the piece."We've played the system well" said Donnelly.  "She's picked up a penalty free win here and there plus with the added bonus of a junior concession driver she's only an R40.  It's nice to see the system working for a horse like her.""Her ...

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Race 5 @ 7:26pm - #1 Mr PresidentI thought he was super at Cambridge last week.  He's got a perfect draw so won't have to do any extra.  While it's an even field, I think he's a tidy each way player.Race 6 @ 7:51pm - #3 Virginia ClowersI couldn't have been happier with her Northern debut.  She has the draw advantage over the two higher assessed runners which will help.  She's one to cover in trifecta/first four combinations.Race 8 @ 8:43pm - #1 Pacing HopeOur n...

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Race 8 @ 8:17pm - #5 Pacing Hope & #9 Mr PresidentWe start with Pacing Hope who certainly can't do anything wrong.  While the barrier is enough to make it tricky, she'll run her usual honest race.I thought Mr President's last start effort was very good.  If he can get the right run through, he's a big chance....

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Race 2 @ 5:55pm - #10 JolimontI'm really happy with this horse, and while he hasn't been favoured in the draws, he's one of the better chances.  If luck plays its part, he'll be right there when the guns are cracking.Race 5 @ 7:25pm - #11 CrusaderHe had to run a 1:54 mile rate to finish 4th last start.  It's a very tidy field and he has a second row draw to contend with.  It'll be a tough ask, but he'll run his usual honest race.  Don't let his course stats go ...