Shutkowski targets Manawatu

By Jordyn Bublitz

Allan Shutkowski is loading up for a southern raid this Sunday, taking a three-strong team from Waterlea Raceway in Blenheim across the Cook Strait to tackle the Manawatu meeting at Palmerston North.

It’s a decent trip, but one the stable is making with confidence.

“I’m quite pleased with them all, they’re in good spirits!”

Two of the team square off in Race 4, the City of Palmerston North Festival Cup Mobile Pace, where Ha’Penny and Fredastaire will go head-to-head for stable bragging rights.

Ha’Penny comes into the contest off a last-start win at the track and has drawn kindly in barrier two, with Emily Johnson to take the reins.

Despite the favourable marble, Shutkowski isn’t expecting fireworks early.

“She never runs out of the gate hard, she has a lot of high speed but she always just flops out of the gate. It’s just the way she is I think, a quirky wee thing.”

Tactics will be left in the driver’s hands.

“I’ll leave it all up to Emily.”

Fredastaire, drawn barrier four and driven by Sailesh Abernethy, shapes as a key player if he can make use of his position. The gelding has turned a corner after a frustrating spring and summer plagued by suspected allergies.

“I’m really pleased for him because he had a terrible spring and summer, we’re thinking due to allergies. We put him on some Hanley Formula about six or seven weeks ago to try and get him to blossom, and three weeks later he was jumping out of his skin!”

Now thriving, his work at home reflects the turnaround.

“He’s happy in the paddock, running around bucking and kicking.”

When pushed to split the pair, Shutkowski leaned slightly toward race shape.

“I think Ha’Penny has got more ability than the gelding but with the draw and the fact she’ll likely have to run the field down, I’d say Fredastaire would have more of a chance if he’s rated right off the front.”

The stable’s third runner comes up in Race 6, the Tangi Utikere MP for Palmerston North Mobile Pace, where Major Moonshine shapes as the yard’s best of the day.

The four-year-old son of Sky Major has been a model of consistency, missing a cheque just twice in 10 starts, and arrives off the back of another win. He’ll also be partnered by Johnson from barrier four.

“He’s come through his last run brilliant. He’s a really nice horse. He’s just so honest.”

While not explosive early, Major Moonshine brings toughness to the contest.

“He just lacks the high speed to hunt the gate and say ‘I’m going to command the lead’. I’ll leave it up to Emily whether they press on early. He runs like a stayer, he might lack that high speed, but he’s tough.”