Luck of the draw
Draw for Governor’s Plate wasn’t kind to trainer Trevor Hicken’s two entries
Harness racing columnist Nicholas Oakes takes a look at the draw for post positions for Saturday night’s $22,000 Governor’s Plate in Summerside. Horses go behind the gate in Race 13.
It is show time in Summerside and Saturday night promises to be an action packed event at Red
Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
The $22,000 Governor’s Plate final lines up in Race 13 on the card, that gets underway at 6 p.m. The post position gods have not been kind to Big Surf, as the Trevor Hicken trainee has drawn Post 7 after winning his $5,000 elimination in a track record equalling 1:53 for driven Marc Campbell. In a shocking twist, Hicken’s other entry, All Turain (Corey MacPherson), is saddled with Post 8, so some quick early speed from the inside is no doubt in the Hicken families prayers.
Other elimination winner D Gs Camme has Post 5 after going a monstrous trip to capture the first elimination in 1:53.2 for Gilles Barrieau. The Jackie Matheson trainee was fifth at the head of the stretch and unleashed the final part of a 27.3 quarter to declare victory by half a length over The Rev (Danny Romo), who has Post 2 Saturday night. D Gs Camme is the likely post-time favourite but potential spoiler in the field is R Caan, who was second in Big Surf ’s track record performance and made his first starts in a few weeks on Sunday after shipping her from the U.S. The Rene Allard owned pacer is now trained by Earl Watts and has the services of Terry Gallant in the bike. R Caan was third in the 2013 Gold Cup and Saucer going one of the biggest trips in the history of Island racing to secure the show prize that day.
The Governor’s Plate field also includes 1. Si Semalu ( Jason Hughes); 3. Perfect Escape (Walter Cheverie); and 6. I’m Drinkin Doubles (Marc Whebby). P.E.I. Scene After a devastating performance in her Governor’s Plate Open Mares series elimination, Willow Warrior has drawn Post 1 in Saturday’s race 12 $8,250 final and is looking to give some back to the community.
The four-year-old pacing mare will be donating 10 per cent of her 2015 earnings to the Children’s Wish Foundation. Owner’s Alby and Debbie Curran of Vernon Bridge are pledging their support for the local charity and are hoping the mare trained by their son Brendan will be able to help out.
The Western Terror mare has one win, two seconds and two third so far this season in Open Mares competition. Regular driver Mark Bradley will hold the lines at 3-1 odds Saturday evening.