Photo: Angelique Bridson
By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Hamilton trainers Graeme Rogerson and Dylan Ferguson will once again have a strong line-up at Cambridge Raceway on Thursday, headed by Classy Operator in the Woodlands Stud Sires Stakes Heat 2 Mobile Pace (1700m).
The son of Bettor’s Delight has drawn well in three, inside of his main dangers, the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Montana DJ (4) and Major Perry (5).
Classy Operator finished second behind Montana DJ in the Gr.1 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m), while Major Perry is also Group One performed, having finished runner-up behind Akuta in the Gr.1 Harness Jewels 2YO Emerald (1609m).
“He has got the draw advantage over the main rivals. He has shown that he is good enough to match it with them before but having a good draw certainly helps,” said Ferguson, who will also take the reins behind his charge.
Classy Operator heads into the race in good form, having won first-up over 2200m at Cambridge last month.
“He has got a bit of race fitness on his side which is a help, but the other ones have had a couple of trials, so no doubt they will be ready to rock and roll, it should be a good race,” Ferguson said.
Stablemate She Reigns will be vying for her fourth successive victory in the Xmas At ‘The Raceway’ Tickets On Sale Now Handicap Trot (2200m) but will have to overcome her 50m handicap.
“The shorter distance makes it a bit trickier off 50m,” Ferguson said. “She should have improved a bit off the back of that last start and should be a good chance.”
Another stable runner heading into Thursday in winning form is I’llavabubbles who has drawn barrier seven in The Clubhouse Happy Hour 4-6 Tues, Wednesday Mobile Pace (2200m).
“She has improved the most out of all of them, her work has been pretty good since last start and she should be hard to beat,” Ferguson said.
Adding an air of excitement to the night is the debut of promising juvenile filly Fire And Delight in The Clubhouse Steak Night Every Friday Mobile Pace (2200m).
“She has been trialling up well and has gotten better each time we have taken her off the property,” Ferguson said.
“It is only her first start and she has still got a bit to learn, but she should make a good account of herself.”
The stable will also be represented by Delson in the Hire A Venue At Cambridge Raceway Handicap Trot (2200m), Loutenant in the CR Summer Festival Dates 13, 20, 27 January Mobile Pace (2200m), and True Believer in The Clubhouse Quiz Night Every Wednesday Trot (2200m).
“Delson and Loutenant both have a bit of ability, they have just got to put it together on raceday,” Ferguson said.
“I think Loutenant should be a good chance from the draw (2) as well.”
