McIlwrick out to continue good form

By Jonny Turner

Rory McIlwrick will be out to continue his hot form in the sulky at Wyndham on Sunday, but whether he can do it might not be up to him.

McIlwrick teams up with two horses that have a good amount of ability, but they have to be in the right mood to show it.

Top Pocket Chance, who steps out in race 6, is known as a trotter with the capability of pulling off an upset when the mood strikes.

The Craig Buchan trained sqauregaiter doesn’t bring the best form to Wyndham, but he looks to be dropping into a winnable race after taking on better horses recently.

McIlwrick rates the horse a winning hope if he brings his A-game.

“When he is on, he can be quite impressive,” the reinsman said.

“It’s up to the horse and whether he is on his best behaviour, really.”

“He is well placed in that grade and coming to the big track will help.”

“He galloped on the bend out of the straight at Invercargill in his last start.”

McIlwrick will be out to continue his great strike rate in the Tyler Dewe colours when driving Rakajed in race 9.

The reinsman said the pacer is another horse that can win if he is in the right mood.

“He is a lovely big, horse and he loves to get out there and bowl along.”

“The draw isn’t ideal but we will be trying to be up on the pointy end at some stage.”

“He probably lacks a dash of high speed, but he can follow a good clip and do some work.”

“If he puts his mind on the job he can be right there.”

McIlwrick and Dewe have made waves recently, combining for three wins from three starts with Teddy Baker.

The reinsman gave the pacer a key hit-out on Saturday to decide whether the three-year-old heads to Addington next week for the South Of The Waitaki event.

McIlwrick was rapt with Teddy Baker’s trackwork.

“I actually had to find an ice bath then get into the spa to help my arms recover after his work on Saturday because he is very well and he wanted to run.”

“I think he had it in his mind that the Ascot Park track record was within his sights.”

“He is spritely and well, which is encouraging heading up the road.”

Currently, there are 12 horses nominated for the Show Day feature.