The continued improvement of Donegal Carrickfin has seen the once rogue pacer become one of the finds of Canterbury racing season and the fun might not be over yet.
The former Kaikoura pacer, who is now in the barn of Ken Ford at West Melton, has been in stellar form since the end of January, winning four times in his last nine starts.
But today, in the Marlborough Winter Cup at the transferred meeting at Addington, the four-year-old will face one of his toughest challenges.
Yet, Amanda Tomlinson who takes the reins this week from her daughter Sheree, is seemingly unfazed.
“He seems to handle everything we have thrown at him,” she said.
“I think he’s always been a very good horse,” Tomlinson said.
“We’ve just done a bit of fine tuning and changed a few wee things here and there and he’s grown up a bit.”
Sunday will bring a new challenge though with the stand start an interesting aspect.
Tomlinson didn’t say it would be a problem, but then again she didn’t say it wouldn’t be either.
All she’s hoping for is another good performance to help lift the spirits of the pacer’s former trainer and still owner, David Broadhurst.
“David’s not well at the moment, so it’s been a real privilege for us to be able to give him some enjoyment with the horse going so well.”
Had everything gone to plan, Broadhurst would have got a real kick last Friday night but a mix up early on in the life of Donegal Carrickfin meant his nomination for the Uncut Gem wasn’t accepted due to his ineligibility as he wasn’t paid up.
“That was gutting, we thought it would be a great opportunity for him.
“We tried everything and had a lot of people helping us, but in the end he wasn’t paid up so he couldn’t race.”
The task on today won’t be easy even taking into account the standing start as the Marlborough Harness Racing Club will be over the moon with strong nominations received for the major race of the meeting.
Impressive Oamaru winner, Torrid Bromac will be joined in the leading contenders list by the likes of Usain Colt, Ultimate Desire, Boomer Bailey and Alpha Rock while there will be plenty of eyes on the talented Lovetodream who makes her debut for the Robert Dunn stable.
Formerly trained by Nigel McGrath, the five-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight hasn’t raced since winning at Ashburton back in October of last year but showed her readiness for a big showing this weekend with two impressive victories at Rangiora workouts and trials in recent weeks.
Usain Colt may be the handicappers special in the event due to a drop back in quality from fields he has faced recently.
The Greg and Nina Hope trained tradesman has been beaten in three of his last four starts by the talented Cash N Flow and has been running home strongly in each performance.
He will start off the 20 metre backmark with three others on today .
