Fleming treks north for South of the Bombays at Cambridge tonight

By Jordyn Bublitz

The Manawatu raiders will get their chance to race for a stake well above their usual grade tonight at Cambridge Raceway, with the $25,000 South of the Bombay's races for both the trotters and the pacers.

It’s a rare opportunity for many of the grassroots stables that have spent much of the summer and early autumn competing week in, week out across the Manawatu and grass track circuits, to now get a crack at a significantly better purse.

Among them is Hawera trainer Willie Fleming, who will line up a two-pronged attack in the $25,000 Beta Vet South Of The Bombays Mobile Pace (8.14pm) with brothers Run Mason Run and Run Blaze Run.

He's open about the fact both were close to heading for a break before the race came into play.

“I was tossing up chucking them out for a spell, but this race was too good to miss," says Fleming. 

Fleming is also quick to highlight the significance of the initiative for trainers operating in the provincial ranks.

“It’s bloody good!”

“There’s a bunch of us Manawatu boys coming up, and I guess that’s a thinking behind the South of the Bombay’s initiative, to give us a reward and a chance to run for a bit of money!”

The older of the two brothers, Run Mason Run, looks to have conditions to suit from barrier one with Dylan Ferguson booked to drive. The gelding heads into the race off a strong third placing, finishing not far from the winner in a race run with a slick tempo.

“He should enjoy drawing one, Dylan has driven him a few times and he likes to bustle him out so it will be interesting, there’s a bit of gate speed outside him, so she’ll be all on for Africa!”

Younger brother Run Blaze Run will step from barrier five with Jay Abernethy in the sulky. The son of Betterthancheddar has continued to improve since breaking through for his maiden victory three starts ago, but Fleming feels his recent runs have been better than they may look on paper.

“I don’t think it’s the step up in grade that’s worried him. I made a mistake with him the start after his maiden victory, and he had a bad draw his last start.”

“I think he’s gained a bit of speed, and he’s coming home a lot better. He’s been learning and he’s definitely gotten stronger.”

With both brothers lining up in the same race, Fleming holds a strong hand in a competitive field, but he’s under no illusions about the depth of opposition assembled for the feature.

Dominus opened at $2.45 and is now at $2.70 while in the Daily Double Dash South of the Bombay's Handicap Trot (7.39pm) the Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained Very Majestic is a $4.50 favourite.

As for Fleming he has a quiet confidence about one of his pair.

“I really like Blaze, and he’ll be paying the most!”

To see the Beta Vet South of the Bombay's Mobile Pace field click here