Cash giveaways and Blue September at Cambridge

The first of Cambridge Raceway's new cash giveaways will be held tonight.

For every Tuesday in September one racegoer on course will get a $250 cash prize.

Then after the final meeting on September 24 all entries will into a draw for a grand prize of $4000.

To be eligible racegoers have to buy a food or drink item from The Clubhouse or Taylor St Club and they must be on course to claim their prize.

Entries are limited to one person per night.

Tonight is the fifth of the #seeyounexttuesday meetings that are integral part of HRNZ's The Future Starts Now strategy that is focused on revitalising northern harness racing.

It will also be the first Blue September meeting in the north this year.

The annual fund-raiser for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation started at Ashburton on Sunday.

Already over $4000 is in the kitty, with $3000 raised through the recent skydive undertaken by Blue September ambassadors Blair Orange, Robbie Close and Jonny Cox in Auckland.

And then at Ashburton Orange ($300) and first time ambassador Henry Sail ($450) both had wins, raising money though contributions from Harness Racing New Zealand, individual clubs and the ambassadors' sponsors.

The two Blue September ambassadors in action tonight at Cambridge will be Zev Meredith and Dylan Ferguson.

The 12 Blue September ambassadors, together with their sponsors, are :

Blair Orange
(Friday Night Lights)

Matthew Williamson
(Wayne Spanjer, Total Lawn Care Company Ltd, Robin and Geraldine Wilson, Ken Johnston, Tony Crofts, Andrew Fry, Matthew and Charlotte Williamson, Bruce and Colleen Negus, Sumo Hand, Luke Whittaker Racing, Steven Clarkson, MarQue, Scott Elliffe)

Jonny Cox
(Matt Markham, Advance Properties, N40 Racing, Total Lawn Care Company Ltd)

Zev Meredith
(Tania Kettle, The Clubhouse, Derek Balle Racing Stables, Betavet, Tim Vince, Cambridge Grain, Arna Donnelly Harness Racing)

Nathan Williamson
(Brendon Franks Farrier, P & L Ltd, Peter Lagan Standardbreds, Stalker Vets Mossburn, Phillips Horse Transport, Williamson Racing Ltd, Goodman Plumbing)

Henry Sail
(Matt Purvis Racing, Ben Hope Racing, The Kaik Tavern, Julie Sail)

Robbie Close
(Keast Racing, Equine Products NZ Ltd, Cavalier Trotting Products, Megan Swain Racing, Mick Hand, SMARCK Family, Any Excuse Syndicate, The Dumpster Syndicate, Graham Hand, Bee Buzz Apiaries Ltd, Waiuku Mitre 10)

Tony Cameron
(Steve Blake, Christina Montagna, Marten Bakker Timbers, Strike Won Racing, StructureMaxx, Jeremy Young Racing)

Sam Thornley
(East West Fencing, Leisa Thomas, MWS Vehicle Testing Ltd, AGF Builders)

Rory McIlwrick
(Sponsors to come)

Benjamin Butcher
(Sponsors to come)

Dylan Ferguson
(Ferguson Racing, FM Maintenance)

Mitchell with each way chances at Cambridge tonight

By Brigette Solomon

Todd Mitchell reckons Im Not The Maid is the best of his four drives at Cambridge tonight.

“Most of them are probably each way chances with a bit of luck,” says Mitchell.

Mitchell’s night kicks off with the Scott Dickson-trained Tres Bonne Fille in Race 2, the Trot Into Tuesdays, Win Your Share of $5k Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. The three-year-old filly finished fifth here on August 27 after a tough run.

“She’s been left parked in her last couple of races and hasn’t finished off well but tonight’s draw of 11 might see her get a better trip which will help,” says Mitchell.

In Race 4, the Betavet Buildagut Mobile Pace over 1700 metres, Mitchell drives the Arna Donnelly-trained Cracker Rock.

The three-year-old by Rock N Roll Heaven has been in good form this campaign with Mitchell steering the gelding to a fresh up second placing when just a nose behind stable mate and winner Bad Medicine, followed by a win here at Cambridge over 1700 metres. In just a four horse field on that occasion, Mitchell dictated terms throughout to score a comfortable win by 1.25 lengths over She’s Apples.

“He’s been racing really well and is still a bit green yet,” says Mitchell, “although it was only a four horse field when he won the other week, he found the line well and had gotten a bit stronger.”

“I think he’ll be better driven with a sit and is definitely a place chance, Red Rackham will be the one to beat in that field.”

Red Rackham, also trained by Arna Donnelly, has relished the Cambridge racing of late with a hat-trick of wins throughout August.

Mitchell’s next drive is on the Bernie Hackett and Michelle Wallis-trained Shesgold in Race 5, the MVS Equibreed Handicap Trot over 2200 metres.

The four-year-old mare by Love You starts fresh up off the front line tonight but has had two preparatory workouts leading into the event for a win and a second placing.

“She did go a couple of good races early in her career, but a couple of tough runs knocked her a bit,” says Mitchell, “Michelle (Wallis) has said that she trialled up ok but we’ll be driving her for one run tonight, and while she’s capable of running a place, given she’s fresh up she might just need the run to bring her on.”

In his final drive of the night, Mitchell partners with the Ray Green-trained Im Not The Maid in Race 6, the Octoberfest at The Clubhouse, 4th October Mobile Pace over 1700 metres.

Another last start winner at Cambridge, the three-year-old filly by A Rocknroll Dance has had just three starts for a second, fourth and a win. Her win a fortnight ago came after firing off the mobile from barrier six to lead from start to finish holding on to win by 0.75 lengths.

“I haven’t driven this filly before, but she seems to go alright having a placing and a win from just three starts, and the field doesn’t look overly strong,” says Mitchell, “there’s a couple of scratchings too which won’t hurt, I’d say she’s a good each way chance.”

Mitchell, who also trains from his property at Tauwhare, also revealed that his promising pacer Kings Watch would be off the scene for some time after developing a quarter crack. The four year old by He’s Watching was an impressive back to back race winner in July before the hoof issue arose.

“The quarter crack popped up the just prior to when he was set to race at Alexandra Park so we pulled pin and had Kim Hughes out to do some remedial shoeing on him” says Mitchell “He’ll have a good spell now to let the hoof grow out and spend some time in the pool when he returns to work later in the year.”

Racing at Cambridge gets underway with Race one at 5.24pm.