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    Insights: Wednesday, Aug. 1

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    Q&A: Trevor Denman

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    • There wasn't any music that interfered with the Racing.  The sound wasn't turned up until the end of the day.  As for not wanting music some of the big race day events in OZ are now tacking name bands onto the end of the day.  Aiming at the younger crowd and it seems to be working.  
    • Canada’s James MacDonald has just a nine point lead heading into Sunday’s four heats of the World Driving Championship at Winton. After 15 of a total 20 heats, he has 130 points, with Australia’s Gary Hall junior next on 121. New Zealand’s Blair Orange is fourth on 107 and still very much in contention. Strong southern connection for Gary Hall junior at Winton  By Jonny Turner  Southland trainers will have a foot in two camps when the World Driving Championship comes to Winton on Sunday. The southern harness racing fraternity would love to see Blair Orange score plenty of points in the four heats in Southland, especially considering the important impact the star New Zealand reinsman makes in the region. But at the same time, seeing Australian Gary Hall Jnr in the winner’s circle will also be a welcome sight. Southern-bred horses have been an important part of Hall’s incredible success in Australia, none more so than the champion pacer Im Themightyquinn. Hall will be out to add to his long list of wins with southern performers when he links up with a strong book of championship drives including the Brett Gray trained Jaccka Evan. The reinsman is no stranger to driving horses developed by Gray, with the Hall camp purchasing and racing one of the trainer’s best performers in You’re So Fine. Jaccka Evan looks well placed with the early toe he has to take advantage of a nice draw in barrier 3. “It looks quite a suitable race for him, he likes to go forward and he’s won over the mile before,” Gray said. “His run last week was good fresh up and he has definitely improved with it.” Durrant looks another key hope for Hall on Sunday. The pacer has been racing honestly without luck and now drops back into what looks like a very winnable grade. Hall also links up with veteran trotter Andy Hall at Winton. The nine-year-old rematches with Jordan Anne after their one-two finish at the same track last week. Barrier 8 is no help to the Lyndon Bond trained square-gaiter, but it hardly extinguishes his chances. Rakero Lightning looks one of Hall’s rougher chances in Sunday’s heats. After a series of consistent efforts, the mare looks well capable of filling a top-four spot. WDC leader James MacDonald back to mile racing at Winton   By Jonny Turner  Winton could turn out to be one of the most important places on earth for Canadian reinsman James McDonald. The star driver admits he hadn’t heard of the Southland town or its Central Southland Raceway before he was confirmed to compete in the 2025 World Driving Championship. But he is eager to get there and maintain the lead he has established over a star-studded line-up of international horsemen. “I am really looking forward to seeing more of this beautiful country and another of its racetracks,” McDonald said.  “I don’t know a lot about the horses I am driving but I have seen some replays and they are at pretty good odds.” “Hopefully I can put them in good spots and they can race as well as possible.” “I will be doing my best because there are a lot of great drivers right on my heels.” McDonald should feel right at home at Winton – compared to previous tracks like Cambridge and Kaikoura – with the championship heats run over a mile on the bigger circuit, just like back home in Canada. “The mile racing should be really good,” McDonald said.  “I have raced in Australia once before.” “It is a little bit different here, but also in the series you have guys from all over the world bringing their styles to the races.” “So the heats are not like the normal New Zealand races.” “It has been great so far, the racing is close and you are competing with a great bunch of guys.” “Probably the one thing that is different from back home is the circling they do here before the start.” McDonald links up with Trendy Van Gogh, Sherwood Maggie, Xerion and Insarchatwist at Winton on Sunday. None of his charges have drawn inside barrier 6, which means the Canadian may have to decide whether to press forward and attack early to find a handy position. Sherwood Maggie hinted she was ready to return to form with a solid last-start third at Winton. The mare has plenty of gate speed, which McDonald could call on. The reinsman’s phone has been running hot during his New Zealand trip, and if he is able to keep his winning momentum going, he is sure to get plenty more messages. “I have been getting lots of messages. We are racing during the night over there, so when I am sleeping they are messaging, and when they’re sleeping I am messaging them back.” Jonny Turner’s four runners to watch at Winton  Side Hustle – Race 2 (1.15pm) This youngster lines up for start number two after an excellent debut at Oamaru last month. After sitting parked in what looked a slightly stronger field, Side Hustle fought on bravely for fourth. The winner, Utah Blaze, will go on to compete in the Group One Sires Stakes Final on New Zealand Cup Day at Addington. Keeping pace with a quality rival like that looks like outstanding form for Side Hustle to bring to his Winton assignment. From a workable draw in barrier 5, he should get his winning shot. Markthewarrior – WDC Heat No 18 – Race 7 (4.08pm) He’s a little risky and by no means a standout, but Markthewarrior looks a potential value option on Sunday. The trotter has made mistakes in his past two starts, but he gets the key benefit of starting behind the mobile this time. Before his recent mistakes, Markthewarrior ran some tidy races in stronger grades than he takes on this Sunday. From barrier 4 over a mile, don’t be surprised if the five-year-old rolls forward and runs a cheeky race. Jaccka Evan – WDC Heat No 19 – Race 9  (5.02pm) This bold-striding pacer looks to have all of the attributes needed to take out his heat of the World Driving Championship. Jaccka Evan has gate speed, a nice draw, and also has the services of Gary Hall Jnr, who looks set for a big day at Winton. The four-year-old chased home Step It Up A Notch in his last start at Winton, running into second. The key factor is that he’d had two months between runs, and he should strip fitter for this week’s assignment. Drawing inside his key rivals, expect Jaccka Evan to take some catching. Axel Rose – Race 4 2.24pm It is probably fair to say Axel Rose is the best horse in Sunday’s Gold Chip Final. Whether he shows that or not is questionable. His last start at Winton was marred by an early gallop, but he still managed to run a nice fourth. Complicating things, the trotter appeared to hit a flat spot on the home turn before powering home late. He’ll be at short odds which won’t be enticing considering he’s a little bit risky, but Axel Rose still rates a clear top pick. View the full article
    • David Eustace will wheel out the three highest-rated horses in his stable this weekend and the trainer hopes at least a couple of them can give him reason to think big as the season progresses. Still searching for his first victory since his 2024 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) success, Massive Sovereign is second up in the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) after a strong fourth in last month’s Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,600m). That was only the galloper’s second run since undergoing fetlock...View the full article
    • I bet, another thing that irks me, if ya at the races, nothing worse than music in the back ground, if ya want music head down to the disco.
    • Racing returns to the Sha Tin turf on Sunday for the first time in two weeks, with the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1,800m) the highlight of the 10-race card. Jay Rooney is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Five L’Oreal Paris Handicap (1,600m) Perfect Peach followed a good win with a sound second to Ninja Derby last start and looks the one to beat here. Race 2 – Class Four Grace One Handicap (1,000m) Ka Ying Warrior has trialled very nicely for...View the full article
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