Level 3: Racing and Takeaways

5 September 2021 , Punters Info

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

The easing to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 earlier this week meant the return of two favourite things for Ohoka horseman Tom Bagrie – racing and takeaways.

“We are on a farm with chickens and cattle to feed, so not much changed there and we tried to do what we could with the horses,” Bagrie said of his Level 4 lockdown experience.

“Not too much changed for us, just no takeaways or racing really.

“We need racing and it is great being back.”

Bagrie will have a pair of runners at Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting at Addington Raceway on Sunday, headed by in-form mare Daisy Duke in the Allenton Pharmacy Fillies & Mares Mobile Pace (1980m).

The daughter of Bettor’s Delight has featured in the money in all four of her career starts, including a win at Addington last month.

“She is going really well,” Bagrie said. “She seems to be getting better and better, and is starting to learn her trade.

“She didn’t really know she was a racehorse but she is starting to click onto it has gone a couple of great races recently.”

Bagrie was particularly pleased with her last start placing following a rise in grade.

“It was her first time out of maiden company so it is always a wait and see how they perform when they step up, and if they can step up,” he said.

“She had a good run and found the line pretty well. We were happy to see her competing with those sort of horses.”

While unable to race for the last few weeks, Bagrie is happy enough with his mare heading into Sunday.

“She has been working well,” he said. “It is a bit of a worry with a few weeks between runs, but everyone is in the same boat.”

Bagrie will also line-up Journo in the Graeme Sparks Memorial Mobile Pace (1980m) but he said the last start placegetter will need a lot to go his way to feature from his wide draw.

“Journo is a bit of a battler, but an honest battler,” Bagrie said.

“He has got a bit of a bad draw (9). We are lucky to have Blair (Orange, driver) on but he will have to work his magic to get him home this week.”