Grass track specialist to savour a return to the turf

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Grass track specialist Mac’s Tomado will appreciate a return to the turf when he lines-up in the Connie Stewart NZ Sotheby’s Int Realty Mobile Pace (2000m) at Tauherenikau on Sunday.

The six-year-old gelding has won three of his four starts on the surface and he will be ably assisted by the ace draw on Sunday with the scratching of Lord Verde.

“He certainly goes a few lengths better on the grass than he does on the all-weather,” trainer Doug Gale said.

“He is quick off the gate anyway. He could probably lead early from anywhere off the front, but it’s a bit easier when you have drawn one, that is for sure.”

Gale has been pleased with Mac’s Tomado ahead of Sunday’s assignment and he is expecting a good result from the son of Bettor’s Delight.

“I was very happy with his last run, even though he finished seventh,” Gale said.

“He was up on the pace and they did a bit of work early. He held his own without making any ground.

“I would like to think that he is forward enough to produce a good showing.”

Gale will head to the Wairarapa meeting with a handful of other runners and highlighted Raging Whitebait and Call Security in the Osborne Group Chartered Accountants Mobile Pace (2000m) as two of his better chances.

“The better chances on ability are Raging Whitebait and Call Security but they have both drawn the second row,” Gale said.

“It is not an easy track to come from behind on. Their chances will be determined by the horses in front of them and how well they get out.

“They are both well and have been working well, so I would expect them to run well.

“They just might find themselves too far off the pace when the speed goes on to get up into a placed position.”

Gale said the meeting is a great day out for racegoers, with the well patronised summer meeting becoming a staple in the local calendar.

“It is a nice day for the patrons on course,” Gale said.

“It is a great day and they have one of the biggest patronages of the summer meetings. It is great for the industry.”