Nandolo among a hot field of progressive pacers

[Chief Stipe]

Nandolo is one of a group of smart up and coming horses in race 3 at Addington on Friday night. Photo: The Digital Birdcage.

Nandolo is among the many winning chances in what could the race of the night at Friday’s premier meeting at Addington.

A capacity field of promising rating 59-80 pacers will clash in the third event on a race card filled with features.

The predictable nature of some of the programme’s group events could mean race 3 will be one of the most intriguing contests on Friday night.

Nandolo comes in to the race with a rare blot on his copybook formline, after running seventh from behind the tapes in Sheriff’s Cheviot Cup win, earlier this month.

The John Howe trained pacer was not a factor in the finish after getting back in the field on a slick 55.5sec final 800m.

“He probably over raced a wee bit last time which didn’t help, either,” driver Jonny Cox said.

“Getting back probably ruined his chances all together in what was a pretty nice sort of a field.”

“On a slick half like that he was probably no chance, really.”

Nandolo faces a totally different task tomorrow night, stepping back from 2600m 1980m, behind the mobile.

The four-year-old possesses blazing gate speed when he is in the mood and is likely to press forward.

“I would say the plan would be to head forward.”

“He is a funny sort of horse, some days he leaves the gate like he is tied to it and other days he is happy to flop out.”

“It is just whatever Nandolo turns up on the day.”

“He probably races better in front, most of his mobiles he has led up in.”

“It probably leaves him a sitting duck, he has been run down a few times, but he has also gone some great races in front.”

Nandolo is in great company, draw near the outside of the front line.

He has the highly talented Smokin By drawn beside him.

The Mitchell Kerr trained pacer will be looking to bounce back after a bout of colic caused his shock last placing in the Northern Southland Cup.

Queensland Oaks winning mare, Sociable, is drawn outside him.

The Andrew Stuart trained four-year-old trialled well at Rangiora last week ahead of her tough task from the outside of the front line.

New Zealand Derby hopefuls Delightful Major and Mr Yips have drawn inside Nandolo in barriers 1 and 5, respectively.

The sometimes wayward, but highly talented, Mr Yips will have his second start on a left handed track in the race.

The Tony Herlihy trained pacer ran into fourth behind Ultimate Sniper in the Northern Derby after getting shuffled back in the field before the home turn.

Delightful Major will attempt to keep his unbeaten record intact form the ace draw.

The second row of the mobile in race 3 is also packed with talent.

Cast No Shadow and Samskara bring winning form in to the event.

They start between Cullenburn and Kotare Cullen.

Bookmakers appear to think the group races on the Addington card are predictable affairs.

They installed sub $2 favourites in three of the four features.

Winterfell opened a $1.90 favourite, ahead of Majestic Man at $3.60, for the group 3 Four and Five-Year-Old Trotting Championship.

Ultimate Sniper opened at $1.20 win odds for the group 2 Flying Stakes.

Cheerful opened a $1.55 favourite for the group 2 New Zealand Trotting Oaks.

Bookmakers rated the group 3 event free-for-all for open class pacers the most evenly matched group race on Friday night’s card.

Sheriff and AG’s White Sox opened $3.90 equal favourites for the 1980m event.

Jonny Cox will drive Eamon Maguire, who is one of three horses trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen have in the event.

The trainers also start Elle Mac and Funatthebeach in the race.

Eamon Maguire, the Ashburton Flying Stakes winner, ran out of puff in his resuming run in the Northern Southland Cup earlier this month.

Cox said the horse would strip fitter on Friday night, but the horse faced a tricky task from barrier 9.

Mark Purdon said on his stable’s website he rated Elle Mac the strongest of his trio of chances.

 

 

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