Wilkins with genuine chances at Manawatu today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jordyn Bublitz 

With four drives at the five race meeting, Brooke Wilkins looks to have some genuine each way chances at Manawatu today.

After having nine wins across the Tasman, 2025 was Wilkins’ first driving competitively in this country and despite only taking part in the latter half of the season she had seven wins from 42 race-day drives, with a highly respectable UDR of .2910. 

That momentum has carried into the new season. 

Wilkins wasted little time opening her account for the year, recording a winner at last week’s Tauherenikau meeting. 

One of her leading hopes today comes early in Race 2, the Congrats Wilson House Leading Junior Driver Mobile Pace (4.51pm).

She partners the Stephen Doody-trained gelding Jahi, who’s drawn ideally in barrier two.

“He’s actually one of my better chances,” she said. “With him being back to a smaller field and the likely leader (The Night Fox) drawn to our inside, we should be able to jump straight into the trail. He should get the perfect run and have every chance.”

In Race 3, Join The Turbos Syndicate Mobile Pace, Wilkins takes the reins of Get Set Party, a lightly-raced mare resuming for trainer Scott Dickson. While still relatively inexperienced, the mare appeals as a competitive type in what shapes as an even contest.

“She’s probably still just working out her ringcraft, but the fields are all quite even,” Wilkins said. “Scotty does a great job with his horses, so if she finds the right run I’m sure she’ll be thereabouts.”

Race 4 (5.55pm) presents what Wilkins rates as her best chance of the day, driving Two Jules, now trained by Chris Garlick. 

The mare steps back from Alexandra Park company to Palmerston North and has drawn well — factors Wilkins feels have been overlooked by the market.

“I think she’s way over the odds,” she said. “Coming from Alexandra Park to Palmy is a massive drop back and she’s got a good draw. She can do a couple of things wrong, but if we get things right she should be right with them.”

Wilkins rounds out her commitments in Race 5 aboard the ever-reliable Bell Fire for trainer Chris Webber.

“He’s one of those tools-of-the-trade kind of horses,” she said. “I know Chris just loves to be there.”

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