Major Happy a major chance at Addington today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Mike Love 

The first of what will be regular Sunday racing at Addington kicks off today in what promises to be true Canterbury winter conditions. 

The Diamond Racing stable is today’s sponsor and although they will not be represented by any runners today, John Dunn will take the reins behind nine runners on the card. He looks to have a range of chances that include Yosemite ($3.70FF) in Race 6 and Waihemo Hannah ($5.50FF) in Race 9. 

Perhaps another of Dunn’s better chances comes in Race 8, the Master Musician The Legend Pace over 2600m with the Philip Vermeulen-trained Major Happy ($3.50FF).

The five-year-old Art Major mare looks ready to run a bold race for punters, according to the Woodend-based Vermeulen. So far she has won three from 53. 

“She should be a pretty good chance. She’s a good track worker and is pretty honest, so she should be thereabouts,” says Vermeulen. 

Major Happy will be having her third run this time in and has been building nicely. A close-up fourth fresh up at Rangiora was backed up with a solid sixth at Addington on May 30 behind Celestial Sea who ran a narrow second on Friday night. 

“She’s come through her last run well, and has trained on even better.”

Major Happy is generally good from a standing start having won once and placed twice from six attempts. 

The Vermeulen runner is as close as it gets to a Diamond Stable representative as Vermeulen works for the Dunn team and is trained on the same sand.

“She’ll be off to stud if she doesn’t step up, but the way she’s been working we should be able to chug through the winter alright.”

Other chances in the event include current equal favourite Stormy Vista ($3.50FF) for trainer Mark Jones, driven by Samantha Ottley, while Apatchofgold ($8.50FF) for trainer Bruce Hutton and driver Jim Curtin, and Motor Mouth ($15.00FF) for trainer Joseph Gray and driver Scott Iremonger look to offer good value. 

Vermeulen’s only other horse in his care is Major Happy’s little half brother Captain Shorty who is a two-year-old colt by Captain Crunch and is developing nicely.

John Dunn’s other six drives are :

Race 1- Rocky In Paradise ($71.00FF)
Race 2 – Betterthandiva ($12.00FF)
Race 3 – Interrorgator ($5.00FF)
Race 5 – Beautiful Crazy ($13.00FF)
Race 7 – Sophia Bromac ($21.00FF)
Race 10 – Playing With Stars ($13.00FF)

Race 1 gets underway this afternoon at 1:24pm

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