Goodman taking winning form into Winton on Sunday

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Georgia Goodman will be out to keep up her winning form on Transport Services Ltd Wairio Cup Day at Winton. 

The junior driver comes into Wairio’s big meeting on Sunday after notching the second win of her career in the sulky with Beaudiene Quick Step at Ascot Park last week.

Goodman links up with two serious winning chances at Central Southland Raceway, one of which clashes with her last start winner.

The reinswoman will combine with the Alister Black trained Captain Amore on the back of his last start third at Ascot Park.

“Alister has been good to me and he is keen to see me get a win in his colours.”

“The horse went great last week, he was fresh up after a bit of a break and fought on pretty well for third.”

“He has good gate speed and he likes to race on the pace, both of his wins have come in front.”

“This week it looks like a slightly easier race and he’s got a good draw, so he should be a pretty good chance.”

Goodman’s workmate at the Nathan Williamson barn Oliver Kite will take the reins behind Beaudiene Quick Step to make a highly anticipated return to race day driving after a recent stint working in Australia.

Beaudiene Quick Step charged home from off the pace in his last start win for Goodman and he looks a handy chance again.

The pacer has recently moved south so he can train in Williamson’s equine swimming pool while also providing Goodman with more race day opportunities.

“He has a nice turn of foot, he had gone good races since coming down here but he had been unlucky.”

Goodman also drives Rise Up N Dance for the Williamson stable at Winton on Sunday.

The pacer brings nice form and also draws a good barrier for the junior driver.

“I drive him in work quite a bit so I know him quite well.”

“I am lucky that Nathan and the owners put him in this race to try to get a penalty free win.”

“He has been in good form and he’s got a nice draw so he should be a good each-way chance.”

Goodman will compete in teal driving pants as part of harness racing’s Team Teal campaign which raises funds for ovarian cancer research.

Jonny Turner’s Four to Follow at Winton 

Race 2 (1.35pm) – Skinny Dippin

She was beaten fairly and squarely in her last start at Ascot Park in what was a fairly ordinary display. However, I am keeping the faith in this talented filly and expect her to be hard to beat. There are a couple of factors which look to be key in Skinny Dippin putting her best foot forward this week. She should strip fitter as that last start came on the back of a freshen up. She’s also back to racing over a mile, which looks to really suit the speedy filly. Expect Skinny Dippin to be in front, out of trouble and to take plenty of catching.

Race 8 (4.10pm) – Wag Star

Unless he runs into some shocking bad luck, there should be no excuses for Wag Star on Sunday. Just three starts ago he was third at Group 1 level in the Invercargill Cup behind newly crowned New Zealand Horse Of The Year, Republican Party. That’s nice form for any race, but it looks even better when you consider Wag Star shares the 20m backmark with horses that don’t bring the same form references. While narrowly defeated last start, he threw away victory when slackening off and gawking around late. It is possible this cunning character could do the same again. But on pure ability, he should be winning.

Race 3 (1.12pm) – Rakamick

He’s well overdue but today might just be his day. Rakamick has raced honestly throughout the summer, without too much luck at times. That could change today with his nice barrier draw, suitable field and top driver on.
But perhaps the most important aspect is the drop in grade Rakamick gets on Sunday. He’s been racing handy enough horses recently and now takes on a line-up with many who are honest but don’t win out of turn. He’s a tough customer and should give his backers a nice run for their money.

Race 10 (5.05pm) – Captain Amore

Gate speed looks the key to this pacer’s hopes of breaking back into the winner’s circle on Sunday. Captain Amore has plenty of early toe which is a clear advantage to him when he takes on an even line-up. He should cross to the lead early and from there, he is set to get a major advantage over some of his key rivals. Captain Amore’s main danger is Ebonezy who could settle in a tough spot from her barrier 1 on the second row draw. He has a 2 from 20 strike rate, which shows he doesn’t win out of turn. But Captain Amore looks well placed at Winton and a big winning threat.

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