The inside word on Addington’s first spring meeting

By Brittany Graham 

With 12 races carded for Friday's ITM Race Night, the big guns are starting to roll out en masse at Addington Raceway.

With a $20,000 late quaddie guaranteed, as well as a $5,000 First 4 on the ITM Ordeal Trotting Cup, many of the key players have been kind enough to provide their thoughts.

Race 8 – ITM Ordeal Trotting Cup

1 Bounce N Beyond

“He's only had one quiet trial, but hoping he steps well and he is a horse you have to drive for his speed anyway. He will improve on the run” - John Dunn

7  Habibti Pat

“Good to have this mare back although it's not going to be easy as her first go against the big boys. We are really happy with her work; she felt super when we gave her a good workout on Saturday and we think she’ll be up to them”  - Ben Hope

8 Midnight Dash

“Really happy with his run last start when unlucky, and he’s trained on well so will go his usual honest race” - Ben Hope

10 Mighty Logan

“Rapt with the way he has come back this time in off a long spell. He’s only had one workout but has had a fair bit of work at the beach. He will need the run but is still fairly forward” - John Dunn

11 Mr Love

“We will be looking for a more economical run this week, and I do think he is still another run away” - Ben Hope

Race 9 – Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup

1 The Lazarus Effect

“The blinds are going on as he was mucking around a bit too much for my liking the other night, but that first up run has really sharpened him up and he is good to go” - Bob Butt

4 Franco Sinatra

“He will race good but obviously The Lazarus Effect raced super last start so we are probably fighting for second” - Cran Dalgety

Race 10 – Rangiora ITM Mobile 2YO

2 Fantabulous

“Pleased with the way he went first up, and he has a nice barrier draw. He has struck a very nice field, but with the right trip he won't disgrace himself” - John Dunn

4 The Visionary

“A few steering issues last week and he probably should have run a place, but he will be better this week” - Cran Dalgety

5 Fanfare

“He was good first up but we are probably going to end up in a bit of a tricky spot Friday. I don’t really want to use him early yet so we may get stuck behind a couple I don’t really want to, but I am sure he will be running home well” - Bob Butt

6 Faith Not Fear

“He has really sharpened up off his first start, and I was very pleased with his work Wednesday morning. He still has a lot to learn, and we are confident he’ll run a nice race, but where he lands in the running, I am not sure” - Hayden Cullen

7 Travel Agent

“Made an error at the trials last week so I have changed a wee bit of shoeing and gear, and I can’t fault his work since” - John Dunn

8 Tour Party

“He is really good” - Cran Dalgety

9 Chiggsy

“Blair was happy with his trial last week. It’s a bit of an awkward draw and whatever he does he will benefit from, but we are expecting a pretty forward showing” - Hayden Cullen

Catch all the action on Friday Night Lights from 4.30pm