Coppins confident with strong Cambridge book

[Wandering Eyes]

Budding junior driver Kate Coppins heads to Cambridge Raceway tonight with a strong book of four drives, and plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
 
She kicks off her night in Race 1, the Christmas At The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Handicap Trot (5:41p.m.) aboard President Flynntin. The pair have been in a rich vein of form lately, booking a cheque in all their last four starts. This season has been the geldings most successful yet, amassing two wins and a further seven placings, all of which with Coppins in the bike.
 
His last start at Cambridge Raceway showed plenty of promise and Kate is confident that he has found another field that he is capable of capitalising on tonight.
 
“With the field he found himself in last start we expected him to run a place,” Kate said. “But in saying that it’s probably the best run he’s had. He ran a personal best last quarter that day, so I’d say he’s a good chance to make up his 10m handicap tonight and if he can get a nice enough run, he’ll definitely be there in the finish.”
 
In Race 3, the Garrards Horse And Hound Mobile Pace (6:32 p.m.) Coppins jumps aboard Brookside Girl for David Butcher. The Downbytheseaside mare finds a step down in grade after some solid efforts at Alexandra Park and looks well-placed against tonight’s opposition.
 
“Her last few starts at Auckland have been quite good,” Kate said. “With that form and the downgrade in the field she’s racing tonight I’d say she’s a pretty big chance. It will be up to David as to what we do, if anything we’d be looking to sit back and make a mid-race move.”
 
For her third drive Coppins teams up with her employer Arna Donnelly aboard Joes Rock in Race 5, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace at (7:29 p.m.) 
 
Back from a brief freshen-up, the mare has a solid record at Cambridge, with four placings from six starts at the track.
 
“It’s her first start back from a spell, she’s a bit of a one-trick pony so I’ll be saving her for the run home,” Kate explained. “Hopefully we’ll find some cover and get a bit of luck in the running. I don’t get behind her often in trackwork but the few times I have this preparation she’s found the line really well. She’s as happy as ever.”
 
Coppins rounds out her night in Race 6, the TFS Horse Transport Mobile Pace (7:54 p.m.) with Baileys Pitch, also for Donnelly. 
 
The Bettor’s Delight gelding ran better than his fresh-up performance suggests, and Kate is hopeful that with a bit more luck, they can turn things around tonight.
 
“I didn’t do him many favours with my drive on him last start,” she admitted. “I’d like to have put him in a handier position off the gate. He still found the line really well despite the run that he got so if we can get handy early tonight, he’ll make his presence known at the finish.”
 
And when it comes to her best chance of the night?
“President Flynntin, he’s always my pick of the litter,” she laughed “He’s a good boy.”

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