Newman has strong Ashburton book

By Jonny Turner

Harness racing’s Blue September campaign looks set to get a boost judging by Korbyn Newman’s book of drives at Ashburton on Sunday.

The junior driver and Blue September ambassador takes the reins behind five runners at the Methven Trotting Club meeting which has been transferred away from its home track.

Newman has landed the sought-after drive behind Socrates ($3.30FF) who created a big impression when zipping home in smart splits to break his maiden at Addington last week.

The Bob Butt trained pacer looks well capable of handling his step up in grade in race 6.

“He looks like quite a nice horse, he ran a fast last half (55.4sec) when he won,” Newman said.

“His draw (6) looks OK because not too many of the good ones are inside him.”

“He should be a pretty good chance.”

Newman combines again with the consistent Pro Surfer ($5.50FF) in race 7.

The Bruce Taylor trained pacer might need a slice of luck as the only horse drawn on the second row of the mobile, but he only has to race up to his recent form to be a big threat.

“I actually thought he could be my best of the chance of the day, but he will need a bit of luck from the draw.”

“If he gets a bit of luck, he will be running on.”

“I would be surprised if he wasn’t in the first two, anyway.”

Rollyarrrz ($4.80FF) has drawn in the same tricky spot as Pro Surfer in barrier 1 on the second row in race 2.

Though the Jack Harrington trained pacer has a full second line outside him.

Rollyarrrz battled on well for sixth after working in his last outing at Addington.

Newman is likely to drive the pacer more conservatively on Sunday.

“He will need a bit of luck, I probably drove him a bit hard in his last start.”

“He is an honest wee horse and he always tries his heart out.”

“If he gets a bit of luck, he will be running on.”

Newman lines up his first runner as a trainer on Sunday in Moons Way ($4.80FF) in race 1.

The trotter has made plenty of mistakes in his seven starts to date but put in a faultless display when winning a recent trial at Rangiora.

“I have been pretty happy with him, but the big thing with him will be his manners.”

Newman also combines with South Park ($41FF) who looks a very rough chance in race 9.

 *Opening Fixed Odds win prices are subject to change