Foliejon star leads Negus' Methven chances

By Mike Love 

Bruce Negus believes Foliejon Star ($4.80FF) may set the tone for his day at Methven today.

The Burnham-based trainer rates him his best chance of the meeting, in Race 1, the Odd Job Johnny Mobile Pace over 2300m (12.00pm). 

“He’s a very, very good horse and I expect him to be hard to beat,” said Negus of the four-year-old Sky Major gelding. 

Foliejon Star ($4.80FF) will be driven by Sheree Tomlinson, and although he was a little bit disappointing at Banks Peninsula a week ago, Negus has not lost any sleep over it.

“I may have been a little easy on him after the Coast so he might have been a little bit underdone for Banks Peninsula last week. 

“If I was a betting man I’d have a go.”

Negus is not so upbeat in Race 3, the ACL Contracting Mobile Pace over 2300m (12.52pm) with The Seamstress ($41.00FF), again for Tomlinson.

The four-year-old Sky Major mare passed a few home last week which was encouraging enough for Negus to line her up again.

“She went better than we thought she’d go last week, we were expecting to sack her. But she has another chance tomorrow.” 

In Race 5, the Betavet Buildagut Trot over 2400m (2.03pm), Joany Baby ($6.00FF) has been under the eye of Negus on behalf of Waikouaiti trainer Denis O’Connell. The promising four-year-old Speeding Spur mare has been trotting in great form lately, and looks to be building to her third win.

After a couple of placings on the Coast she returned to Banks Peninsula last week to produce a fair run after being checked and changed ground a couple of times in the run to the judge. 

“We are not sure if she was unlucky, slightly tired or underperformed at Motukarara last week. But whatever it was, she seems very well and I expect a good run. She’ll be a good horse one day,” said Negus. 

Tomlinson will take the drive. 

Race 7, the G & R Seeds (Junior Drivers) Pace over 2400m (3.12pm) Carlin ($13.00FF), to be driven by Mia Holbrough, is better than the formline reads. 

“He’s led and won at Methven before. If he were to reproduce that form he’d be hard to beat. He seems bright and is working well, so I expect a good honest race from him.”

Race 11, the Rakaia Railway Hotel Handicap Trot over 2400m (5.20pm), sees Buffy Northstains ($11.00FF) for Holbrough looking to continue her good honest form. 

“She was a wee bit unlucky last start. She’s bouncing around the place and should go another honest race.” 

While in the same event Aveross Majesty ($6.00FF), the second of Denis O’Connell’s runners under the care of Negus, has also been racing well and will again be driven by Tomlinson.

“Uncharacteristic error last week from him. We’ve been happy with him during the week. If he does everything right he has to be a live chance,” said Negus. 

Both runners will start from a 15m handicap.

(All Fixed Field (FF) odds were accurate at the time though they can fluctuate - check tab.co.nz for latest prices)