McIlwrick warming up for Blue September at Winton on Sunday

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

The warm up starts for Rory McIlwrick at Winton on Sunday.

The reinsman will be working to raise money throughout next month as an ambassador for harness racing’s Blue September campaign, which raises money for prostate cancer research.

McIlwrick can go into his mission in good form judging by his book of drives at Winton.

“I hope some of these horses don’t peak too early,” the reinsman quipped.

“It is great to be raising money for a good cause, hopefully we can get some good results on Sunday and it sets us up for a good next month.”

Dragoness looks one of McIlwrick’s best winning chances on Sunday in the Macca Lodge Supporting NZ Horse Ambulance Mobile Pace (2.15pm).

The filly produced sharp closing sectionals when winning a recent workout at Wyndham.

Dragoness showed off her good motor with a big second in her debut at Winton last year, but she broke in her next two starts before spelling.

Though she didn’t put a foot wrong in her recent trial, McIlwrick knows that the pressures of raceday make for a different challenge.

“Her workout was great, she was just trucking along under her own steam.”

“She’s certainly got the ability to win but she is still a work in progress in the manners department.”

“If she got around safely we would be disappointed if she wasn’t in the first three.”

“The biggest thing about her is that she’s fast and she would have the speed to gather in most horses in that field.”

Forever Arden looks another key chance for McIlwrick in Sunday’s opener.

The pacer has gone to the line under a hold and without racing room in his last two starts.

With just six other rivals to contend with, traffic problems are unlikely to be an issue at Winton.

“I think if he didn’t front up in that race we would be disappointed.”

“He’s been running on in his last couple of races and they have been in stronger company.”

“He has shown he can work in his races and if he brings his A-game he should be a great chance.”

Abull is another of McIlwrick’s drives who is stepping back in grade on Sunday.

The pacer chased home the unbeaten She’s Crunchy home in a Southern Surge Final at Gore last weekend.

He not only drops in grade but crucially, he gets a major draw upgrade in barrier 4.

“It is a big step back in class for him, he should be a handy chance from a good draw.”

“I’m not too sure about the gate speed around us, so we will have to see how it pans out early.”

As a 29-start maiden, Sonny Jim might not be McIlwrick’s best winning chance.

But he is one for punters to put into their calculations.

“He’s a solid place chance, more often than not he does everything right.”

“If one of the first starters makes a mistake he might be able to capitalise.”

Popnrock and Airwaves look to be McIlwrick’s rougher chances on Sunday.

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