Betta Watch Out on trial for Ace Of Diamonds

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Brett Gray is hoping Betta Watch Out can keep her undefeated record intact at Addington Raceway on Sunday as she prepares for a tilt at the Group 1 Ace Of Diamonds (1980m) next week.

The two-year-old daughter of He’s Watching has won both of her starts to date in Southland and Gray is looking forward to testing his filly against some northern opposition in Christchurch in the Aces ‘All In’ 2YO Fillies Mobile Pace (1980m).

“She has had a couple of nice wins. It is a bit of a step up, but we will see how we go,” Gray said.

“She is a work in progress, she is not the finished product yet, but she is improving with every run so hopefully she runs a good race.

“It will give us a good line on her and it will draw a line in the sand to see if we are good enough for next week.”

Meanwhile, Gray was pleased with the efforts of four-year-old trotting mare Peregrine when fourth in the Group 2 Trotting Mares Handicap Trot (2600m) at Addington Raceway on Friday night.

“I was really happy with her. She had to go from a wee way out. They were going along in front and she whacked away pretty good,” Gray said.

“She is getting better with the higher tempo, I was happy enough with her.”

The daughter of Pegasus Spur will now return home and her Ryal Bush trainer is weighing up her next options.

“I am going to give her a few days off and we might go to the race at Invercargill on Cup Day. If not, then it will be more the Christmas or New Year,” Gray said.