Spirit of Atlanta good chance to break maidens at Rangiora today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Spirit of Atlanta has the look of a readymade winner at Rangiora today (Thursday).

The Lather Up three-year-old has placed three times in five starts and was an eye catching second to the highly-rated Transonic who gave Tim Williams his 100th winner on debut at Ashburton during Cup week.

It certainly looked the run of a “next-upper” and she certainly hasn’t been missed by anyone, opening a red hot $1.60 favourite.

“She is a tough wee thing,” Holmes says of Spirit Of Atlanta, “she just keeps coming.”

The filly has drawn handily at two in the Property Brokers Rangiora “Toot for Tucker” Mobile Pace.

“She’ll get off the gate ok so we will be going forward,” says Holmes.

“Her form line is good so hopefully she is good to go.”

Holmes will also drive two for Brent Weaver – Girlshavtime in Race 4 and Shadow Creek in Race 7.

“Brent says Girlshavtime is a bit of work in progress and I quite like Shadow Creek. Three runs back it was a good run.”

That was a second at Oamaru on Oamaru 19.

He’s since had a seventh at Kaikoura and a fifth at Addington.

The Property Brokers Rangiora “Pretty Gutsy” Mobile Pace looks a wide open race including the likes of Acento, Gimmesomelovin, Courage Reaction and Normie Stead.

“I’d say we are an each way chance,” Holmes said of Shadow Creek.

Holmes’ best horse at the moment is six-win trotter Dreams Pat though he is a bit of a frustration as well.

He won well at Kaikoura, only to break out on contention twice when well supported at Addington during Cup week.

“He just does not like being confined. If he’s in front or out the back he’s fine.”

“He certainly has the motor but he’s got to keep his feet on the ground.”

“He’s only four and he has it all of ahead of him.”

Right now Dreams Pat is having some downtime before heading down south to the Christmas circuit at Omakau and Cromwell.

Racing at Rangiora starts at 2.40pm.

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