Macca Lodge take four to Winton today

By Jonny Turner 

Macca Lodge could get rewarded for their great support of southern harness racing at Winton on Thursday.

The Northern Southland stud and stables will start four horses at Central Southland Raceway three days before they again sponsor the Group 3 Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup.

Co-proprietor Brent McIntyre is rapt with the depth of the Northern Southland Cup field and just about as pleased with his four-strong Winton squad.

McIntyre and his stable head Carl Hanna will combine with maiden trotter Raffie Jay in Thursday’s opener.

The three-year-old was excellent on her debut, running on into third at Cromwell last week.

“She is pretty foolproof – though I probably shouldn’t say that, I will put the mockers on her.”

“But so far she’s shown great manners, which is half the battle with a young trotter.”

“We are still educating her, she still has a bit to learn but you have got to line up and get a bit of experience.”

“She’s well and working good, fingers crossed she can go another good race.”

Macca Lodge has a two-pronged attack on Thursday’s second event with Putere Boy and Ramblin Rover.

Putere Boy has a tough task ahead from the unruly over a mile.

But the pacer has shown ability and has won in better fields than he faces at Winton.

“He is getting close to form, we have had a few issues with him but hopefully we have put all of them behind us now.”

“He has been really good in the last two runs and he is fitter for them.”

“He will probably need a bit of luck from the unruly but he should go a good race.”

Ramblin Rover has been a consistent performer for the McIntyre barn and he’s expected to produce an honest effort.

“He has got to have the right run, but he is consistent.”

“He is not one you can do work with and you can’t take off too soon with him.”

“But he has been going nice races and from the draw (4) hopefully he can go another one.”

The Macca Lodge team also lines up Wallflower in Thursday’s Southern Belle Speed Series heat.

The mare brings handy overall form, but has to deal with barrier 7 in the mile sprint.

“She has got the ability to get a bit of money.”

“It is a handy field so she will probably have to take the shortcuts and get a bit of luck.”

Wallflower has accepted to back up at Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup Day on Sunday.