By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
Craig Thornley is literally hoping to go one better at Rangiora’s annual Waitangi Day meeting today.
And that’s because three of the horses he’ll drive (Ma Belle Amie Franco, Waikaka and Moa Mojito) all finished second for him in their most recent starts.
One of them in particular Ma Belle Amie Franco is heavily backed to get her maiden win. Trained by Steven McRae, Ma Belle Amie Franco is at $2 following her last start second at Wyndham on January 6.
“She is getting better every time she’s away from the place and looks a good each way chance,” says Thornley.
The Always B Miki four-year-old has drawn the ace over 1950 metres in Race 5, the HSW Accounts – The Tyre General Amberley Mobile Pace (5.14pm).
“I’m unsure just how much gate speed she has .. I’d like to be lead or trail but three back the fence isn’t the worst place to be at Rangiora,” says Thornley.
“She’s had a wee freshen up .. and anything she does she will improve on.”
In Race 3, the Aurora Storm Handicap Pace (4.18pm) Thornley links up with another McRae-trained runner in Waikaka.
A winner of two races he was second last start at Oamaru last Sunday and will be off 10 metres today.
“He’s a good beginner so he should get handy and is an each way chance.”
He opened at $5.50 with Lavra Rose (also 10m) a $3 favouirte.
After driving those two stablemates Thornley will drive three for Ashburton trainer Ben Waldron.
Moa Mojito will line up in Race 6, the G K Fyffe Painting “Making It Happen” Trot after finishing second to Go Home Denise at Methven on January 25.
“I thought I had that too – just got caught in the last stride,” Thornley says.
With a safe beginning she’s rated a decent each way chance, paying $7 and $2.40.
Waldron’s second runner is Penny Weight in Race 8, the Valley Inn Tavern Mobile Pace (6.40pm).
The five race winner will line up one the second line and Thornley says that makes his tactics pretty straight forward.
“I’ll be following the number one (Kushite Warrior). Wherever she goes I’ll be going too,” says Thornley.
Kushite Warrior is a $3.60 favourite for trainer Malcolm Shinn.
In her latest runs Penny Weight finished third and fourth at Blenheim last month.
Thornley’s final drive is the out of form Franco Chaplin in Race 10, the Dawe Contracting Ltd – Shore Accounting Solutions Mobile Pace (7.42pm).
“It’s a confidence issue with him,” says Thornley, “he has some ability and if he’s running home well I’ll be happy.”
The day’s pacing feature is the Rangiora Equine Services Amberley Cup (6.09pm)
Audacity is the favourite after a fast finishing third last start.
He’s drawn one in a small field that also has quality performers in Bazooka, Vessem and Smoke On The Water, who’s vying for his fourth win in a row though he will have to overcome a 40 metre handicap.