Steven Reid with key chances in Anne Thompson Finals

By Mike Love 

Rangiora trainer Steven Reid will be looking for further success today after Jumal’s winning return to Addington on Friday night as he chases glory in the Anne Thompson Memorial maiden series finals at Rangiora. 

Reid has a runner in each of the $24,250 finals, both with excellent cases to make. 

Race 5 sees the final for the trotters take place, sponsored by Wai Eyre Stud, getting underway at 1.01pm, with Party Pack ($4.20FF) and Gavin Smith.

The three-year-old Six Pack filly is having her third start today, with her first two runs both in heats of the series where she was a close second in the first heat, and an all the way leader and winner in the second. 

Reid believes the filly will be a strong contender for the major prize today.

“She’s a really lovely filly,” said Reid.

“She’s done nothing since her last start to tell me she won’t go a bad race.” 

Drawn out a little wide in seven, Party Pack’s manners should see her land handy and poised to pounce at the business end. 

“She’s got such good manners and just trots.”

Other chances in the event include current favourite Katelin ($3.30FF), who will be looking for her maiden victory, while other heat winner B K Mumma Jamie ($12.00FF), and race winners Rependant ($11.00FF) and Time For Victory ($12.00FF), would have to be seriously considered offering excellent value. 

The pacers final, Race 8, is also sponsored by Wai Eyre Stud, and is due to jump at 2.46pm. Reid lines up Rakero Falcon, who is still a maiden. 

“It’s a better field than what I was anticipating,” admitted Reid.

Rakero Falcon, having his fourth start this campaign, comes in off the back of a strong third in the most recent heat, which followed his fourth in the first heat, where he worked hard and sat parked. 

“Gav (Smith) said if he got a gap last week he could've won it.”

Rakero Falcon has drawn the ace over the 2000m mobile trip, and though most people may do handstands with that draw, Reid is concerned the three-year-old Always B Miki gelding’s lack of ringcraft may find himself in a sticky situation on the pegs, with some noted gate speed runners drawn close enough for them to use it. 

“I’m just a bit concerned about his lack of gate speed, and whether he can hold up or not, so it’ll be touch and go. I'm really happy with him, he seems bright.” 

“He’s still a bit green so I expect him to get better and better with each race he has.”  

Other chances in the event would have to be heat winners Cherish Me ($1.90FF), Boyzone ($19.00FF), Franco Lennon ($7.00FF) and Addington maiden race winner Bettor Dreams ($15.00FF).

Race 1 gets underway at 11.10am. 

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