Ben Hope joins open ranks with four drives at Rangiora

Canterbury reinsman Ben Hope capped off his junior drivers career in style with Homebush Lad winning the Reefton cup and creating harness racing history on December 30th.
He joins the open driver ranks from today and will be looking to begin that part of his career well with a decent book of drives at Rangiora.

Hope wrapped up his junior career with 223 wins and over $2.8 million in stakes, including four Group One’s behind superstar trotter Muscle Mountain for parents Greg & Nina Hope.

“The junior career has been great. Driving over 200 winners just shows how much support I’ve had, especially from mum and dad (Greg & Nina Hope) and the likes of a few others. It was cool to finish on a high winning a country cup race at Reefton, while Muscle Mountain has given me 27 wins including the four Group Ones, so I owe a lot to him.”

Hope has a book of four drives today, including training Refine which will be driven by Mia Holbrough.

In race 3 Sweet Lou debutant Wishful Thinking ($12.00FF) for Greg & Nina Hope will be looking for an educational run, and will be one to follow going forward.

“She’s pretty green. Hopefully she does things right and is running on, but she will benefit from the run.”

Race 5 Crazy N Love ($21.00FF) for Greg & Nina Hope will be driven by Mia Holbrough will look to make amends on her last start error.

“She got it wrong last start, but she likes Rangiora. If she does everything right she’s a first four player.”

Race 7 Refine ($3.60FF) has her second start for Ben Hope with Holbrough also taking the drive.

“She went well last time, she has gate speed. Hopefully she can stay handy and she’ll have options from there.”

Hope takes an outside drive in race 8 for Mark Smolenski in Sophia Bromac ($9.00FF).

“She’s not the worst. A good second last start. If we can drive her pretty she should be there at the finish.”

Hope will drive Torvi ($6.00FF) for Greg & Nina Hope in race 9, after a last start error, Hope is confident of a better showing today.

“It was probably my fault last start. Disregard that and she should be a top four player.”

Rounding out Hope’s chances in race 10 is Jack Tar ($8.00FF). The now 9 year old Tintin In America gelding has been competitive in recent starts, and Hope says there is no reason why he won’t be again today.

“It was a good tough run at Motokurara. 2600m suits him. He probably needs a bit of luck to go his way but he’s another top four chance.”

Race one gets underway at 1:07pm.