The Big Lebowski gunning for third Cup win at Gore

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Great memories are sure to come flooding back if The Big Lebowski can continue his brilliant form in the Gore Town and Country Club Summer Cup on Sunday.

The big-striding pacer will be out to seal a hat-trick of cup race victories after taking out the recent Riverton and Waikouaiti Cups for trainer Brett Gray.

Gore’s Summer Cup is part of a bumper race day which celebrates the Gore Harness Racing Club reaching its 125th year.

The Big Lebowski was bred and developed in Eastern Southland by Robin Swain, who has made a huge contribution to harness racing in the region.

The nine-year-old is from a family Swain and the late Colin Baynes had outstanding success with.

Both Baynes and Swain and their star horses will be recognised at the Gore Harness Racing Club’s 125 year celebration.

The Big Lebowski powered to an emphatic win in the Waikouaiti Cup from the same 40m handicap he faces at Gore.

While his challenge over a slightly shorter distance on Sunday looks similar, his trainer knows it won’t be easy.

“The horse is going great, he is in a good space at the moment and I am pretty hopeful he will go another nice race,” Gray said.

“It is probably another step up for him this week with the field he’s racing.”

“But I have been quite happy with him and the longer distances on the grass suit him, so hopefully he’s not too far away.”

Horses with local connections will carry special Gore Harness Racing Club 125 year colours in all of Sunday’s races.

Dan Anderson aboard Julie Jaccka, owned by club stalwarts Charlie and Ailsa Smaill, will wear the silks in the Kim McDowall Painting Gore Summer Trotting Cup.

Gray and the Smaills also have last start winner Jaccka Ace stepping out on Sunday.

“He is actually coming down in grade after that win, so if he does everything right again he would have to be a pretty good chance.”

Gray starts two more trotters at the Gore meeting in Daisymerollin and Franco Hefner.

“Franco Hefner is stepping up, it is never easy for a trotter coming out of maidens but he is a nice horse and is a good chance if he can do everything right.”

“Daisymerollin will have to bring her manners too after her wee mistake at Riverton.”

“If she trots she won’t be far away I wouldn’t think.”

Riverton grass winner Arma Forrest looks an each way chance for the Gray team despite drawing wide in barrier 8.

Havtimefordiamonds also steps back out on grass for the stable after placing in her last attempt on the surface.

With two runners from his own barn, Robin Swain will be out to complete a unique double on Sunday.

As well as a potential win as a breeder with The Big Lebowski, Swain will be out to score with either Bowlem Over and Magnetic Beckers who both start in Gore’s finale.

“Both of them like the grass and they both look like good chances,” Swain said.

“It is a bit of a drop in grade for Magnetic Beckers, he’s been racing well.”

“Bowlem Over could be the slightly better chance, just with the front row draw he could race handy which he likes to do.”

“He’s won at Gore on the grass before, too.”

Brent Barclay will drive for both the Gray and Swain stables on Sunday, linking up with The Big Lebowski, Magnetic Beckers, Jaccka Ace, Arma Forrest and Daisymerollin. 

Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow  

Race 1 (11.55am) – Itsallaboutthemoney

This mare is one of those horses who seems to go up a gear on grass – that is when she brings her manners. When Itsallaboutthemoney last stepped out on turf she broke behind the mobile and took no part, which she has also done on all-weather tracks. While it is difficult to call her any sort of stand out, that is about where the negatives end. She’s in form with a nice last start third, drawn to land handy and racing over a suitable sprint trip. There’s some early speed outside her, which could see her land in a sweet spot just behind the pace. If that’s the case, she can get a local win on the card early on Gore’s big day.

Race 2 (12.20pm) – Hobbs

The booking of Brad Williamson looks the key to this mare’s winning chances. I wouldn’t go out of my way to offend Bruce Wallace, he’s a great guy and a horseman with many talents. But I am sure he will agree that Brad has the edge over him in the race day driving ranks. I know as much after chatting to him last week at Winton. There, she got too far off the pace in a hectic affair. This week she’s a good chance of settling much handier, coming off the unruly. In what looks a field well within her reach, she looks hard to beat with her best manners.

Race 11 (5.10pm) – Nubliah Chamay

If there was ever a race made for a horse, this is it. With her great standing start manners, Nubliah Chamay looks a massive chance of landing right on the pace which is of course vital over 1800m. In her last start at Addington those manners were totally negated and she was too far back in the running to have any impact. Prior to that, she came from a 10m handicap to run a solid second to Ah Dinnae Ken. This time those handicaps are reversed, with Nubliah Chamay getting the head start. It may not be enough for her to turn the tables, as Ah Dinnae Ken is a handy mare still building to peak fitness. However, Nubliah Chamay looks a great each way hope and a must in place and combo calculations.

Race 4 (1.13pm) – What’s The Whisper

This gelding showed his best and his worst in his last outing at Winton. He missed away badly, setting himself an impossible task. But What’s The Whisper did make up a good chunk of ground to finish with the pack. The difference this week, other than the move to a grass track, is the configuration of the field. Last week there were two walls of handicapped horses behind What’s The Whisper, which I am sure wouldn’t have helped. This week all runners are off the same front mark in what is a maiden only event. With great manners and good efforts prior to last week, including good form on grass, I am willing to stick with him.

Race 8 (3.22pm) – Moses

He’s travelled far and wide and now he’s heading to Gore’s big day. As well he should, given how well he fits into the handicaps for the Gore Summer Trotters Cup. Moses’ 10m handicap looks very workable given where his key rivals sit and the fact there’s only one outside chance off the front line. With all of the recent racing he’s had he is fit and he brings great manners too. Moses’ last start at Addington was excellent, he made nice late ground behind quality types. In his prior run at Oamaru he was beaten by two of his Gore rivals, but he was checked on the turn which had a big impact on his momentum.

 

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