Blanchards with six runners at Cambridge tonight

By Michael Guerin

Good chances with bad draws sum up the Blanchard trio of trotters at Cambridge tonight.

But co-trainer Vaughan Blanchard, who trains with his father Peter, says any one of their three square-gaiters could overcome their setbacks on a busy night for the stable.

The Pukekohe trainers will take six reps to the races tonight, three of each gait, and almost all with recent form to suggest they can be serious chances.

But if they are to get a win it is most likely to come with one of their trotters in Patrick Mahomes (R4, No.9), Shes All Legs (R6, No.6) and Hill Billie Bundy (R8, No.11) even though all three face tricky starting positions.

Hill Billie Bundy starts off the second line in tonight’s feature the $30,000 Garrards Silk Road Final after being luckless in her heat and second in the in-form Viscount Mackendon in her previous two Alexandra Park starts.

“She is racing so well and it turning into a really good trotter,” says Blanchard.

“We would prefer it wasn’t a 1700m mobile with her off the second line but she is good enough to be put in the race and still be a chance.”

Hill Billie Bundy meets the in-form Mad Mary but she also faces a second line draw so early and mid-race luck will be crucial for the pair.

Patrick Mahomes finds himself in a far easier assignment in the TFS South Of The Bombays Trot but facing a 20m handicap.

He is super consistent and in a race lacking real depth and with only nine opponents he is going to be hard to hold out swooping late over the 2700m.

“He is racing really well and this looks an ideal race for him,” suggests Blanchard.

Shes All Legs won a similar race to the one she finds herself in tonight three starts ago using her manners to get handy and while she is off 10m it is only small front line with two of those four starters rated unruly so her handicap may not be a huge burden.

“The stands really suit her,” explains Blanchard.

“She is fast from a mobile but it doesn’t suit her burning early whereas in the stands she doesn’t have to work as hard early.

“So she is always a chance in a race like this as she can get handy.”

Santapazienza, who ran second to Illicit Love in a fast time at Alexandra Park last Friday, is the logical one to beat.

Of the three Blanchard pacers in tonight Olympic Ko (R7, No.3) looks the most progressive after an impressive maiden win here last start.

“She has the ability for sure but there is always a question stepping up from maidens to this grade where you are racing horse who have won a lot more races,” explains Vaughan.

“She is only a three-year-old and has it all ahead of her but this is a steep learning curve.”

The best drawn Blanchard horse all night is Tipstar (R1, No.1) who will be partnered by stable junior driver Devon Towers.

“She is a horse who has had a lot of bad draws and she races best on the pace so she might improve this week from that draw.”

Towers will also partner Dear God in the last race when it is a case of back to the bad draws for the stable.

Tonight’s pacing feature could see Secret Beach start odds on in Race 9 after he was classy winning last start and looks a potential Derby contender in waiting for Team Telfer.