Bublitz enjoying the ride

[Wandering Eyes]

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Andrew Bublitz will line-up a pair of runners at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday and he is hoping they can improve on their last start placings at the Waikato track last week.

Victor Bravo scored his first placing at his fourth start last Friday. The gelding did it tough sitting outside eventual winner Doctor Steve, and Bublitz said he thrives in a truly run races.

“It was a good, tough run, and the race was run to suit,” Bublitz said. “He is not a sit and sprint horse, but he will outstay them.

“He went forward at the right time and Dylan (Ferguson) drove him really well, and the rest just happened from there.”

Victor Bravo has drawn wide in the Xmas At The Raceway Tickets On Sale Now Mobile Pace (2200m) on Thursday and Bublitz is hoping for a similar result.

“I don’t think there are any Doctor Steve’s in that race so I would expect him to be in the top four again,” he said.

Stablemate Romeo Foxtrot also placed when first-up last week and Bublitz said the gelding has taken a lot of benefit from the run.

The Majestic Son four-year-old took on a front-running role after beginning well last week, but that told in the final stages, with the gelding putting in a few rough strides down the home straight.

“He is probably his own worst enemy,” Bublitz said. “He stepped that well that he landed in front, which isn’t his best go, he is better coming off their back at the moment.

“He isn’t 100 percent fit yet, but he will race himself into fitness.

“I would say he will be there or thereabouts on Thursday, he should be better for the experience last week as it took him a little while to recover last time.”

Romeo Foxtrot has drawn handy in three for the Hire A Venue At the Cambridge Raceway Trot (2200m) on Thursday and Bublitz is hoping he can get some cover from there.

“It depends on how everyone steps around us,” he said. “If he steps well again I would expect they will all sit in behind and leave us to it, which is not ideal for us.

“I would prefer they come around and give us the soft trip but I can’t see that happening.”

A former New Zealand BMX representative, Bublitz and his family enjoyed a successful association with the sport before transitioning their focus towards harness racing, a passion Bublitz acquired from his father, former trainer Walter Bublitz.

“BMX was a good thing for the family to do,” Bublitz said. “Both our kids, Kaleb and Jordyn, did it. I went to a couple of Worlds, my wife Libby went to the Worlds in Adelaide in 2009 (finishing fourth) and NZ won the same year.

“We all enjoyed it, it was great fitness, and a great family sport, but it is high impact.

“I picked up the ball a little more (with harness racing) because the tracks got very big and very technical with the BMX and my bike was capable of going a lot faster than I was as an individual.

“With a few too many injuries, and a couple of serious concussions along the way, I decided it was time to park the bike up and have a try at something that isn’t quite as high impact.”

Harness racing has become another family sport for the Bublitz household, with the entire family now involved.

“Kaleb is down in Oamaru working for Phil Williamson and he is really enjoying it, and Jordyn is up with Tony Herlihy and is having a blast,” Bublitz said.

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