Seven races for the second of Cambridge's Tuesday meetings

The second of Cambridge's Tuesday meetings will be held today, with HRNZ heartened by the response to the new initiative.

The weekly lower grade races are an integral part of the new "The Future Starts Now" strategy implemented for the 2024/25 season and beyond.

The second meeting will feature seven races, one more than last week. Each is worth $8000.

"We had planned for six races over the first six weeks and to get the numbers we have is very encouraging," says HRNZ Chief Executive Officer Brad Steele.

“As demonstrated by today we are going to encourage and develop the concept by running races to fit the nominations. We have planned and budgeted for eight races!”

"We are very thankful that northern owners and trainers and the Waikato - Bay of Plenty club have all embraced this and look forward to their continued support."

“The northern amateurs have been in touch which is encouraging. Owners, trainers and drivers are just like any other group – they need consistency and regular opportunities. Grow the ranks and we will provide the races,” says Steele.

The Tuesday meetings are part of the "Look North" strategy aimed at revitalising racing in top half of the North Island. They have been designed to supplement the Friday Nights Lights (FNL) concept which sees dual meetings, usually at Alexandra Park and Addington, every Friday night.

Its objective is to provide punters with consistency week in week out.

Cambridge will continue to host the very popular Night of Champions in April, and a new Summer Nights Festival throughout January.

Sean McCaffrey back after health scare

By Brigette Solomon

Tamahere-based trainer Sean McCaffrey has four runners engaged at tonight’s Cambridge meeting and he’s hopeful with a bit of luck that they can all feature in the top three placings.

McCaffrey, is certainly due some luck, having only recently returned to race day duties after a ruptured colon saw him out of action and bed bound for several weeks.

“Back on King’s Birthday weekend on the Sunday I felt something pop and it absolutely dropped me,” says McCaffrey, “I spent the next few days in hospital while they figured out what was wrong with me and it turned out I had a ruptured colon and peritonitis requiring urgent surgery.”

“I’m not doing too badly now and although I didn’t have much weight to begin with, I still managed to lose plenty!” says McCaffrey “I’ll have a colostomy bag for a few months and I’m just working half days as I get worn out fairly quickly, but I’ve had a great team helping me out.”

“Emily (Johnson) has done a great job and she’s good with the horses, and Luk Chin and Andrew and Lyn Neal have also been a big help.”

McCaffrey’s first starter for the evening is Shonny Lou in Race 4, the Harcourts Te Awamutu Supports NZHAT Mobile Pace. The gelding starts the race from barrier two and will be driven by Johnson.

The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding has had just three starts for two third placings here at Cambridge Raceway. His unplaced run at Alexandra Park a fortnight ago came after a tough run travelling three wide without cover over the final 1200 metres and McCaffrey is confident he can bounce back.

“He goes nicely but it was just a bit of a blank one last start,” says McCaffrey, “he’s got good gate speed and we’ll be looking to go forward from the draw and hopefully lead them a merry dance.”

In Race 6, the Lincoln Farms Supports NZHAT Mobile Pace, Maleficence is fresh up having last raced in February. Driven tonight by Maurice McKendry, the gelding starts from barrier five and has had one preparatory workout leading into this race.

“He’s drawn out a bit and it’s his first start back, so we’ll have to take a sit with him and see how he goes” says McCaffrey.

In the final race of the night, the Christmas at The Raceway Tickets Available Now Trot, McCaffrey starts So Mystifying (1) and Wind Of Change (5), driven by Johnson and McKendry.

Both horses are only lightly raced however So Mystifying starts with reasonable form and good manners, and finished fifth here last week, getting home nicely after coming wide into the final bend.

“Both are usually well behaved so provided they are both away well, I anticipate they’ll be a chance to run in the money,” says McCaffrey “I think Topaz Castleton will be the one to beat as he can run into that first corner fairly quickly.”

Racing action gets underway tonight with Race 1 at 4.54pm.