Stapleton with key chances in Waimate Cup

By Mike Love 

As part of a busy Labour weekend of harness racing in Aotearoa, Waimate will hold their annual meeting at Phar Lap Raceway in Timaru tomorrow. 

The nine race card features the $20,000 Waimate Trotting Club Waimate Cup (4.40pm) with the clear picks in the event being Joyride ($3.80FF), Seaside Croft ($4.80FF) and backmarker, off 30m Iron Brigade ($4.00FF). However, looking to upset the applecart are the two Warren Stapleton runners, Lester and Wild Willow. 

Lester ($11.00FF), with Ricky May, will begin from the front-row, and comes in with three strong seconds to horses who appear above average, including race rival Seaside Croft. 

Despite racing horses well above his rating, Stapleton believes the eight-year-old Bettors Delight gelding has proven he deserves his crack at the feature.  

“He went particularly well last time and did a wee bit of work early. He’s more of a sit and sprint horse. He’s in the right vein of form. He’s the pick of my team,” says Stapleton. 

Off 10m is Wild Willow ($5.00FF) and Jonny Cox. The combo finished fourth last start at Oamaru and will begin ten-metres closer this time.  

“He went better at Oamaru after a couple of runs where I thought he underperformed. Jonny will drive him a bit more confidently.” 

Stapleton lines up four other runners including the in-form Help Me ($2.70FF) in Race 1, the Royal Tavern Waimate Handicap Trot (1.10pm) over 2600m with Ricky May. The four-year-old Helpisontheway gelding has quietly put together a strong record, winning three from 17, and placing a further seven times, and looks a strong winning chance, despite having a 10m handicap.

“He’s had a break and is on his way back up, so he may just need the run, but he’d be good enough to win.” 

Carrera Bandido ($9.50FF) takes his spot in the sixth, the Remembering Eric Ryan Mobile Pace (4.00pm), again with Ricky May in the sulky. 

“He’ll have to go back, and because of that he’ll need a bit of luck. But, he’s been racing well without much luck of late. He thinks a bit too much about it.” 

In Race 9, the GM Accounting & Consulting Ltd Pace over 2050m Stapleton rates Miki's Courage ($14FF) with Jacob Dunn taking the drive.

“He was trucking at Oamaru before it went wrong. I like him though, he’ll be a good smokey in that field. He goes into that race a really fit horse.” 

Stapleton also has Alotoftrouble ($15.00FF), with Jonny Cox, taking her spot in the Interpaint Trot (5.09pm) over 2050m.

Note: FF (Fixed Field) odds can fluctuate, so check tab.co.nz for the latest information.