Local trainer keeping the faith

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Winton trainer Chelsea Faithful will be throwing everything at her local meeting on Sunday when she lines-up her entire team.

While it may only be three runners, Faithful is hopeful of taking home a few cheques at the end of the day, particularly in the New Zealand Bloodstock Junior Drivers Mobile Pace (2400m) where she will line-up last start winners Tartan Roxy and Pay Me Speedy.

Pay Me Speedy won on debut in January and Faithful said the four-year-old mare has the ability to win first-up despite drawing the outside of the front-row.

“Pay Me Speedy hasn’t raced in a while,” Faithful said. “It’s not a great draw, but for her it might not be too bad. She will have to go back and have one run at them.

“On her day she would be the horse to beat in that field, but I think she will need the run.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if she were to run over the top of them, but it also wouldn’t surprise me if she were just to run a place.”

Faithful has been pleased with her other runner, Tartan Roxy’s, two efforts this preparation, placing first-up at Winton in September before recording her maiden victory at Wairio, and she is hoping the daughter of Bettor’s Delight can continue that form this weekend.

“I have been pleased with both of her runs,” Faithful said.

“She had a long time off for no reason in particular and she has turned out to be quite a nice, genuine mare.

“It’s a strong field on Sunday but I think she is over the odds, especially for a place chance. I expect her to go well.

“I have been trying to keep her to the big track. Depending on what sort of run she gets she might back-up at Winton on Thursday.”

Later on the card, four-year-old gelding Tartan Raider will make his debut in the Downbytheseaside At Woodlands Stud Mobile Pace (2400m).

“Tartan Raider, he is a nice wee fella,” Faithful said. “He will go around and it will be a bit of experience for him. He is pretty sensible.

“I expect him to go well. He is extremely well at home and is jumping out of this skin.

“I don’t think he will be too far away.”