Faithful starts strong top 3 hopes on her birthday

By Jonny Turner

Chelsea Faithful has her team ready to secure her a win on her birthday at Wyndham on Thursday but draws aren’t going to make things straight forward.

Faithful was looking at starting three of her small stable in the race 9 but the scratching of Vin Scully leaves her with two solid chances in Owes Me Dough and Arnie’s Army.

Arnie’s Army is one of two horses Faithful has drawn barrier 1 on the second row, with Tartan Raider in race 7 also lining up from the tricky gate.

Though Arnie’s Army takes on a smart filly in Joe’s Rock, he looks a good chance of filling a dividend judging by his big fresh up third at Ascot Park last week.

“If he hadn’t drawn where he has I thought he would be pretty hard to beat with a decent trip,” Faithful said.

“I am not sure how Joe’s Rock is going, if she is at her best she would be pretty hard to beat.”

“But he looks like a good place chance with the right run.”

“I was rapt with him first up, I have come to expect that from him, really.”

“He is just such an honest wee horse.”

“It didn’t surprise me at all.”

“He has got a niggly draw to deal with this week but it could suit him if he doesn’t get too far back.”

Owes Me Dough goes into Thursday’s race after taking on a higher grade of horses, including Get Up N Dance, at Ascot Park last week.

Back in the field in a sprint home, the pacer couldn’t win but he still ran well and produced tidy closing sectionals.

“He galloped at the start and he gave them 20m at least.”

“With the way he finished off – I thought he found the line as good as anything.”

“He is not the sort of horse that can sprint like that and I timed his last quarter in roughly 26.8sec.”

“That is pretty good for a rolling type of horse.”

“I was rapt with him.”

Tartan Raider follows out Will He Rock, who looks a strong chance of landing up on the speed in race 7.

Faithful is expecting a solid first up outing from the pacer on the back of two trials.

“I have been happy with both of his workouts, the first one they sprinted home super quick and he just stayed in behind them.”

“He last one was alright, he doesn’t get around Invercargill that well.”

“His work has been really good, I am just hoping the horse drawn in front of him get out.”

Oliver Kite drives both Owes Me Dough and Tartan Raider while Mark Hurrell partners Arnie’s Army.