By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk
The “House” party looks set to continue at Manawatu today.
The red juggernaut will be represented by 11 runners at Palmerston North this evening with all of them backing up from Tuesday’s meeting.
Trainer Michael House had five winners then to take him to 903 career victories while son Wilson drove three of them on his 21st birthday – not that there was any huge celebration to mark the big event.
“It was just a few drinks with dinner, nothing out of the ordinary.”
With 51 wins in 2025, House is the country’s leading junior driver and second in the overall drivers’ premiership behind seven-time champion Blair Orange.
He looks a great chance to add to that with six drives tonight, starting with Shezabettorgirl in Race 1, the Andrew and Lyn Neal Stables Mobile Pace
“She’s a nice tough mare who won well for Harry (Harrison Orange) the first day – it was a great drive.”
“She’d be one of my better drives on the day.”
In race 3 he partners up with another Tuesday winner in Matai Harry in the Smale Logistics Mobile Pace (6.04pm). Two days ago he kicked through to lead and won well by over a length from Ragnar Lothbrok.
“He’s a keen traveller who’s held his condition well.”
“The best one seems to be Kevin Kline who’s drawn out well.”
Oakley Shard is another Tuesday winner who shapes up as an each way chance in Race 4, the D and M Webb Mobile Pace.
“He’s drawn exactly where he drew the first day (two on the second line) and that could be a good draw from there,” says House.
In race 5, the Herb Stent Memorial Handicap Pace House partners with Avenger. After a big second two starts ago at Addington the Sweet Lou six-year-old was fourth on Tuesday.
“I was slow away and then he had a bit of gallop so I was three deep which cost me second or third.”
“But he’s in a bit of trouble on the second day because it’s 2500 and those back markers will catch you.”
House is especially mindful of Rough And Ready in a field that also includes Iron Brigade, Lord Delmar and Nelson’s Boy.
House is quietly confident about Koko Kaboom in the Colin Goss Memorial Handicap Trot (7.29pm) though manners will again be critical.
“He was third after galloping (on Tuesday) and if he gets around trotting the 2500 will suit him more than the 2000 on the first day.”
House’s last drive for the night is with La Bamba in the DSL Electrical Mobile Pace.
He was backed into favouritism on Tuesday but finished sixth of seven.
“I was stuck three deep and you can’t make ground. The horse went fine, he’ll be fine on the second day as long as we don’t pushed down on the fence.”
Race 1 starts at 5.09pm.
