Tomlinson with good drives on Winter Rewards day at Winton

By Jonny Turner 

With three strong winning chances in Winter Rewards Finals, Kerryn Tomlinson isn’t complaining about her small book of drives on Sunday.

Tomlinson will link up with just four horses at Winton, with each of them a genuine winning threat.

The Oamaru reinswoman will again combine with the Brad Williamson trained Cracker Opie in Race 7, the Robert and Janice Austin Winter Rewards Final (3.49pm).

The pacer is part-owned by North Islanders Robert and Janice Austin, who sponsor the event.

Though the $25,000 stake is a decent step up on what Cracker Opie has been racing for, the pacer actually takes a step back in grade.

“It is a step back from what he has been racing, he’s been coming up against Step It Up A Notch and those ones,” Tomlinson said.

“He’s been going good races, his last run was pretty good, he ran on well from last at Ascot Park which isn’t easy to do.”

“Drawing 10 is probably the only thing against him on Sunday.”

“He does like to race on the pace, but with a good stake up hopefully there will be a bit of speed on.”

“If there isn’t we will look to put him in the race and get a bit handier.”

“His work has been good and we are hoping he can go a nice race in that field.”

“It would be quite cool for Robert and Janice if he was able to win.”

“They love him and they travel down from Auckland a lot to watch him.”

Tomlinson again combines with the veteran Hazer who takes on the Ranginui Farms Winter Rewards Final (4.21pm).

The 11-year-old’s recent form might look a little patchy, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect what he has to offer.

“He’s been very unlucky lately,” Tomlinson said.

“He was travelling really well before he got wiped out last start, and it was much the same the start before when he ran out of room up the straight.”

“He’s got a draw (3) he can use his gate speed from.”

“Hopefully he can get a bit more luck this time and get a bit of money.”

“He’s going well within himself, it would be good to see things go his way for a change.”

Tomlinson has struck up a great combination with Harriet’s Moment recently, with the pair to link up again in the Advance Agriculture Winter Rewards Final (3.10pm).

The mare has a tough task on her hands to beat her stablemate He Aint Fakin.

But she must rate a legitimate threat on her string of strong recent second placings.

“She’s been going great and if she behaves herself hopefully she can go another good race.”

“It is all about the start with her and her manners because she can get worked up but she has been good lately.”

“He Aint Fakin is the horse to beat but she’s just so well in herself that hopefully she will be right there again.”

Outside Sunday’s Winter Rewards Finals, Tomlinson links up with Gasherbrum who looks a genuine hope first up for trainers Neil Edge and Ngaire Buchan (2.15pm).