Hampton primed for Manawatu outing

[Wandering Eyes]

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Young Taranaki trainer Brodie Ellis is looking forward to heading south to Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday where he will line-up two runners, including Hampton in the Doug Bradley Painter Mobile Pace (2000m).

The son of Sportswriter returned to form last start when finishing runner-up over 2200m at Cambridge Raceway and Ellis said he has responded well to a change in training.

“We were stoked with his last start run,” Ellis said.

“It was good for the owner, who isn’t very well, he was happy to see him running home like that.

“He is working along nicely, so he seems to have bounced through it quite well.

“We have changed how we work him and he seems to be thriving.

“We have taken the hopples off, so he doesn’t do any hopple work, and his shoeing has been changed a bit.

“He seems to love it.”

Ellis said the half-brother to Group One winner Highview Tommy is a pleasure to have in his stable and he is hoping he can feature in the finish on Tuesday.

“He is the best bred one I will ever have,” Ellis quipped.

“It does make it harder being drawn out wide (6), but I think he is good enough to overcome it.

“He is no superstar, but he is a nice enough horse to win a couple around here.”

Wairarapa horseman Bryan Taylor will take the reins on Tuesday and Ellis is pleased to reward Taylor for his help over the last year.

“Bryan has been awesome. He drove a couple for me when the Waikato drivers couldn’t come down (because of COVID-19 travel restrictions),” Ellis said.

“Whenever I need someone he is there, and he has been a great help too.”

Ellis will also line-up Carse O Fern Cully in the Cartown Mobile Pace (2000m).

“He was retired for three days but we brought him back in to work with Hampton,” Ellis said.

“He has worked the best he ever has the last couple of days. Drawn one he is a top four chance.”

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