Doody hoping to be Getting On The Sauce at Manawatu

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Stephen Doody is hoping he can get a win for a couple of Manawatu harness racing stalwarts at his local track on Tuesday.

The Palmerston North conditioner will line-up maiden trotter Get On The Sauce in the Scott Dickson Racing Stables Handicap Trot (2500m) for a group of owners including Matt Hickey and Ray Dempsey.

Hickey’s red and brown chequered colours have been a common sight in the winner’s circle in the central districts over the last few decades, while long-time Manawatu Harness Racing Club committeeman Dempsey was on the winner’s enclosure gates at Manawatu Raceway for many years.

The pair have raced a number of quality square-gaiters together over the years, including Group One performers Raydon and Foray, and seven-time winner Speedy Rose.

While Get On The Sauce is a long way off emulating the deeds of his predecessors, Doody believes he is a solid chance of breaking maiden ranks off the front row at Manawatu Raceway this week.

The three-year-old gelding finished runner-up fresh-up to race rival Haka Pride last week, with the Allen Pyers-trained mare having to give On The Sauce a 30m handicap a week later.

“He was good the other day,” Doody said. “If he goes away and does things right again he shouldn’t be too far away.

“I think they jogged 3.19 off the front the other day, so it makes it a bit harder for those back ones. If they trot the same speed again he will be right in it.”

Doody said it would be great to get a win for Hickey and Dempsey and add to their string of trotting winners.

“It would be great to get the win for Matt and Ray, they love their horses,” Doody said.

“They have had some nice trotters over the years, they have done well.”

Doody will also line-up three other runners at his home meeting on Tuesday.

Both Painted Lady and Emmi Rose have been pleasing Doody with their work, however, he admitted to being frustrated that they weren’t replicating that on raceday.

He is hoping for a turnaround when they each contest the Stephen Doody Racing Stables (Grad Series H3) Mobile Pace (2000m) and Andre Poutama Racing Stables (Grad Series H4) Mobile Pace (2000m) respectively.

Meanwhile, Doody said Silver Lady will need plenty of luck from her outside draw in the Doug Gale Racing Stables Mobile Pace (2000m).

“Silver Lady has drawn badly in seven, so I don’t think she has much of a chance from there,” he said.