Rugby club to benefit from Cambridge debutante

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Miss Brabant is bound to have an entourage of rugby players cheering her on for her race day debut at Cambridge today.

The Brian and Gareth Hughes-trained mare will front up in Race 1, the Join Us for Flying Mile Night Mobile Pace (5.44pm).

Gareth Hughes, who also co-owns the Vincent six-year-old, has decided to donate 10 per cent of the horse's career earnings to the Pukekohe Rugby Club.

"I played all my junior footy there, as well as under 19s and under 21s and reserves," says Hughes, "and a lot of the boys there like to follow the trots and have a beer and a punt."

"Hopefully it will get some new people involved in the game - and that's what it's all about really."

The money is not being earmarked for any particular project. 

"Like all clubs they always have things that need to be done so hopefully it will help."

Miss Brabant qualified at Pukekohe way back in 2022 before fracturing a pastern.

It's been a bit of a mission to get her to the races.

"She showed enough first time in to think she was worth a go and we will just take it race by race," says Hughes.

"She's had a couple of quiet trials and gone nicely."

To be driven by Josh Dickie, Miss Brabant has drawn one the second row. She is a $5 third favourite with the top pick being the Arna Donnelly-trained Lulana ($1.95).

"It's not a bad draw for her as she should get a good suck along," says Hughes, "and she'll derive a lot of benefit from the run."

Race rival Lulana is one of many chances on the night for trainer Arna Donnelly and driver Andre Poutama.

Donnelly also has Beta Prepare and Rough And Ready in Race 5, $1.75 favourite Midfrew Lando in Race 6, and $2.10 favouirte Nazare in the last, Race 7.

Midfrew Lando and Nazare will both be driven by the in-form Poutama. 

Midfrew Lando won at Cambridge on February 19 before a gallant second to Rack'em Up at Manawatu (March 10) while Nazare steps back in class in the Drax Project at Night of Champions Mobile Pace (8.29pm) after recently taking on the likes of Jumal and Allamericanplayer.