Confirmation for both Show Day Slot races

A late flurry of activity has ensured both Addington Raceway's two big slot races will go ahead as planned on Show Day, Friday, November 14.

The deadline for slot-holders to register their interest in the Majestic Horsefloats ASCENT was 5pm yesterday.

"We always had the numbers for the VELOCITY but there was a question mark for a while with the ASCENT," says Addington Raceway spokesman Greg O'Connor.

"But thankfully two slot holders came to the party late. We now have 9 starters in the ASCENT and 10 in the VELOCITY."

Yesterday's slots in THE ASCENT were taken by prominent Australian owner Domenic Martello and by two of the biggest names in Australasian harness racing, Aldebaran Park principal Duncan McPherson and Pat Driscoll of Yabby Dam Farms.  

Martello has indicated his slot will be taken by his own filly Tracy The Jet (5 wins from 10 starts), who is trained by Jess Tubbs in Victoria, while the McPherson/Driscoll combo have bought their slot for New South Wales Oaks and Derby winner Gatesys Gem (8 wins from 12 starts).
 
"We see this race as an important part of the overall trotting picture in Australasia and that's something Pat and I are very passionate about," said McPherson.  

"Gatesys Gem, who is by Aldebaran Eagle, gives us a great chance in the race, given her record to date."

And it may not be a hit and run mission for the two fillies either.

"They have the option to go to either the Derby or Oaks at Addington so the trip could potentially be very lucrative for them," says O'Connor.

Both The NZ Trotting Oaks and the Derby will be held at Addington on November 25.  

Further details about the slot-holders and their horses for both THE ASCENT and THE VELOCITY will be released in coming weeks.

It will be the second edition of both races, after they were taken out by Australian superstar Keayang Zahara and Better Knuckle Up last year.

In the TAB's market for the Hill Lee and Scott VELOCITY this year rising star Marketplace is a $1.55 favourite.