Wilkins looking to get some Winter Rewards at Cambridge

By Jordyn Bublitz  

Brooke Wilkins has a two-pronged attack on this Friday night's North Island Winter Rewards finals at Cambridge Raceway, with a drive in both the trotting and pacing deciders.

It caps off a big few weeks for the junior driver, who recently made the move to the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan stable after several years with All Stars Racing.

"It was a timing thing for me, I'd been at Mark's (Purdon) for quite a few years and he's stepped back quite a bit now and I was just ready for a change," Wilkins said.

"The opportunity came up here so I went for it!"

The switch has already started paying dividends.

"I've been here about six weeks and they've been great, very welcoming and I've gotten some pretty good opportunities straight away."

Her first drive of the night comes in Race 4, the TFS Horse Transport North Island Winter Rewards Hcp Trot ($25,000, 2200m - 6.19pm), where Wilkins partners Santapazienza ($8) for trainer Roydon Downey. The pair start off the 10m mark, with a strong recent form line.

"He's just an awesome little horse, he tries so hard and his win last start was really good," Wilkins said. "Two starts before when I drove him he only just missed there."

"He finds himself in a good race again, and I think he should be pretty close."

Santapazienza has been racing in strong Auckland company through his recent campaign, and Wilkins doesn't see the step up in grade as an issue, though she's flagged one small concern.

"I don't think the grade will bother him, he's been racing Auckland company, probably the only worry is that it's a 14 horse field and the back mark is 10 metres, so we might get cramped up at the start. But so long as we get a clean beginning and a good trip I think we'll be right up there with them."

Wilkins' second drive of the night comes in Race 8, the Dunstan Horsefeeds North Island Winter Rewards Mob Pace ($25,000, 2200m - 8.25pm), aboard Another Collect ($3.20) for her new employers. The gelding has drawn gate three and he comes into this assignment a last start winner.

"He went great last start, it was a step back in grade so it was good to see him get that win," Wilkins said. "He's very much a confidence horse, he needs to feel big and brave to run his best, so that win has done him the world of good mentally."

"He's come up with a good draw this week so hopefully we can utilise that!"

Wilkins isn't underestimating the opposition though, singling out Messenger Buoy, trained by Nicky Chilcott, as one to watch.

"It's a bit of a tricky race, you've got to give Nicky's horse some respect, I know we beat him last time but he can get out of the gate well, there's definitely a few there that we will have to be wary of."

With a new stable behind her and two live Winter Rewards drives on the board, Wilkins is looking to make the most of the chances coming her way.