Presenter-driver-trainer Brittany Graham knows a thing or two about racing on both sides of the Tasman and now that the Queenslander is working for Trackside in this country she’s (reluctantly) agreed to write a weekly column.
Who wins and why at Addington tonight?
By Brittany Graham
The final Group 1 for the first half of 2025 will take place at Addington tonight (Friday) in the Welcome Stakes, alongside a pair of competitive open company features as part of a 10-race card, starting at 5.02pm.
Race 6 7.34pm – Avon City Ford NZ Welcomes Stakes (GR1)
Fugitive looks to be in prime position to be an early season dual Group 1 winner when he leaves from gate four as a short-priced favourite in the Welcome Stakes. His Young Guns success showed his immense talent when being forced to breeze throughout in solid time, before holding off a late challenge. Returning to the south last week, he couldn’t have asked for a better prep run when cruising to victory and his gate speed is a big asset.
Allamericanplayer fell desperately short of his own elite success when a slashing nose second behind Fugitive three weeks ago after being held up in a peg line pocket to the turn. A beautifully-bred Stonewall trainee, his high speed makes him exceptionally dangerous from this improved gate of 1. He arrived in the South Island barn earlier this week, and despite a positive draw, he is yet to show a lot of early speed and will also racing left-handed for the first time.
Freeze Frame and Rakero Maximus both draw wide which have no doubt hindered their chances, however, are both talents in their own right. Freeze Frame would love a genuine tempo as evidenced by his great second in the Diamond Creek Classic at Invercargill, while Rakero Maximus is a work in progress but possesses above average ability.
Selections – (4) Fugitive, (1) Allamericanplayer, (5) Freeze Frame and (7) Rakero Maximus
Race 7 8.04pm – Hydroflow NZ Country Championship Final (Listed)
A full field of 16 pacers will line up for a $100,000 stake in the fourth edition of the Country Championships final over the New Zealand Cup distance and conditions of the 3200m stand.
Pinseeker is currently favoured to clinch his biggest career success to date after running some brilliant recent races, including a slashing fifth in The Race By betcha. Not much has gone right for the 5YO subsequently, getting a long way back in the Rangiora Winter Cup and doing a lot of work when third in the Superstars a fortnight ago. As will be the case for all, a quick beginning will be vital after he shuffled away a fraction at Rangiora.
Wag Star has been placed at his last three starts, including back-to-back eye catchers here at Addington in the last fortnight. It appears as though his best pattern presently is to be saved up for one run, but his turn of foot will take him a long way should he land a kind spot off his 10metre handicap.
In a race with a multitude of chances, I am going to side with Betterthancash at an each way price from a cosy draw. Very unlucky in recent times, he is a great follower of speed and follows out a quick beginner which should assist him in getting the kind of trip he appreciates. Here’s Herbie has been popular in early markets off the back of his recent return to winning form.
Selections – (11) Betterthancash, (17) Pinseeker, (14) Wag Star, (12) The Surfer
Race 8 8.32pm Haras Des Trotteurs Heather Williams Memorial (GR3)
The trotting mares will have their time to shine, and an opportunity for group race success in the final feature of the night. Eurostyle has returned in sparkling form, winning three of her four efforts this preparation including last week’s Uncut Gems Trotters Classic when performing superbly off her 30metre back mark. She was forced to cart the field up off a strong tempo and then did all the work wide to win comprehensively with the ear plugs still in. She has a smart mobile record, even though she was a little tardy behind the gate at her last effort.
Nellie Doyle will make her mobile debut after a late mistake last time out, while Julie Jaccka is in super form herself an possesses excellent early pace from behind the mobile. Walkinonsunshine returns from a fairly fruitful northern campaign however has her asset of gate speed taken away with a second-row draw, while Hidden Talent was exceptional without luck last start, though needs some again from position 13.
Selections – (9) Eurostyle, (7) Julie Jaccka, (13) Hidden Talent and (11) Walkinonsunshine
