Blaze's big chance at Palmy today

By Dave Di Somma, Harness New Desk  

Hawera trainer Willie Fleming can't remember the last time he had such a short-priced favourite at the races.

At Palmerston North today he lines up well-performed maiden Run Blaze Run in the Manawatu ITM Mobile Pace.

After being placed second in his last four starts the Betterthancheddar five-year-old is currently at $1.55 to finally break through.

"He's overdue really isn't he?" laughs Fleming.

"You'd like to think today is the day but racing's racing and anything can happen." 

To be driven by Jay Abernethy, Run Blaze Run has drawn handily at four.

"He has been improving all the time and is starting to work things out."

Run Blaze Run will be one of two "Run" horses at Manawatu this evening.

Fleming will also back up his seven-race winner Run Mason Run in Race 4, the Manawatu Knitting Mills Ltd Mobile Pace, after a fifth placing on Tuesday.

"He's drawn better (2) and can be at the pointy end where he likes it," says Fleming.

He's currently at $14 in the market with the Michael House-trained Goorambat Art, who's drawn the ace, the $2.05 favourite.

Both the "Run" horses are out of the Flemings' own broodmare American Cha Cha.

She has also produced Run Lola Run. The seven-year-old has yet to make it to the races "but she has just qualified".

Fleming worked her this morning ahead of the two hour trip to Palmerston North, hopeful he can snare his first training success for the year.

"When 'Mason' won at Cambridge (December 18,2025) he went out favourite and the punters were right," says Fleming, "let's hope they are right again."

Fleming won't have to wait long to find out, Run Blaze Run is in the first race starting at 5pm.

To see the field click here