Trish Dunell
By Duane Ranger
Glenbrook trainer Adrienne Matthews couldn't have wished for a better start to the 2018-2019 harness racing season after nailing two winners and a third from three starters at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday night.
“It was a great night considering we only have about five of our 15 horses racing at the moment. I love training and this is quite rewarding,” she said.
The Matthews trained Rainbow Wiri (Jay Abernethy) and Edamfast (Trent Lethaby) won the third and fourth races, while Miss Zippy (Bruce Hadley) finished third for Matthews in the first event for amateur drivers.
“They all went good, especially the two winners, who admittedly got good runs to suit. I thought they would be both thereabouts, but their results were a bonus.
“I think Edamfast will hold his own at Alexandra Park, but I’ll have to find suitable races for Rainbow Wiri now that he’s gone up in grade. Now’s the time I find out whether or not he can step up,” Matthews said.
Edamfast, a four-year-old gelding by Betterthancheddar who was bred by Alabar Stud, is owned by Matthews, Johnnie and Philippa Butcher, and Ray Dickie.
“That’s his third win now. Trent drove him very well, as did Jay behind ‘Wiri’," said Matthews.
Rainbow Wiri, a 5-year-old gelding Well Said, notched up his first win in 19 starts. The Hambletonian Limited bred gelding is owned by Matthews and Gary Williams.
Meanwhile, the Arna Donnelly trained and Scott Phelan driven Baquero was the only pacer to record a sub-two minute mile rate last night.
The Steve and Anne Phillips bred and co-owned Shadow Play brown mare paced the sixth event, a 2200m mobile in a slick 2:40.3. The 4-year-old returned 57.7 and 29.4 sectionals and her mile rate was 1:57.3.
Condensed results from the Waikato - Bay Of Plenty Harness Club's first meeting of the 2018-2019 season at Cambridge Raceway on August 2 were:
Race 1: The Tim Vince (Kumeu) trained SCANRECO BAY (9 b g Courage Under Fire - Holme Bay (by Holmes Hanover) Sheryl Wigg (a).
Race 2: The Derek Balle (Pukekohe) trained and driven KIMKARDASH (4 b m Skyvalley - Cool Kahli (by Sundon).
Race 3: The Adrienne Matthews (Glenbrook) trained RAINBOW WIRI (5 b g Well Said - Unconditional Love (by Art Major) Jay Abernethy.
Race 4: The Adrienne Matthews (Glenbrook) trained EDAMFAST (4 br g Betterthancheddar - Luck Be A Lady (by Holmes Hanover) Trent Lethaby (j).
Race 5: The Mike Berger (Cambridge) trained JENORA (4 b m Mister Big (USA) - Speedy Falcon (by Falcon Seelster) Benjamin Butcher (j).
Race 6: The Arna Donnelly (Cambridge) trained BAQUERO (4 br m Shadow Play – Shannara (by Elsu) Scott Phelan.
Race 7: The Paul Chalklen (Pukekohe) trained TAMARA GOLD ( 4 ch m Shadow Play – Invisage (by In The Pocket) James Stormont.
Race 8: The Jason & Megan Teaz (Ohaupo) trained MORTICIAN (5 ch g Monarchy - Bred A Monster(by Sundon) Peter Ferguson.
SUMMARY:
Top Trainer: Adrienne Matthews (Glenbrook) 2 wins.
Top Stallion: Shadow Play 2 wins.
Top Junior Driver: Trent Lethaby & Benjamin Butcher 1 win apiece.
Top Driver: Eight races and eight winning drivers.
Extensive results can be viewed here:
