Jakira top chance in Banks’ race
FORMER Highlander Marty Banks can die a happy man after having the Bring Back Marty Banks Mobile Pace at Forbury Park tonight named after him.
It is understood the event is being sponsored by 10 fans, who pitched in to have the race named in the former Highlanders’ first fiveeighth’s honour.
The race named after Banks, who is a cult hero among some rugby fans, has caught the eye of many on social media including Banks.
He posted that he could ‘‘die a happy man’’ after having the race named after him.
Banks left the Highlanders when he signed for Italian side Benetton and he has recently signed with Japanese Team Docomo Red Hurricanes.
The Graeme Anderson trained Jakira, who has been freshened for this, looks a top chance to win the race named after
Banks.
As always, the Westwood
Beach trainer is set to be a major factor at Forbury Park tonight.
The trainer renowned for turning around horses’ fortunes lines up three horses, two of whom are having their first start from his stable.
Reddington and Rozzano look Jakira’s main rivals tonight.
Reddington has failed in his past two starts, but looks a serious contender after drawing barrier 1.
Rozzano has been close up in her past five starts at Forbury Park and is a mustinclude for trifecta takers.
Just Another Legend has her first start for Anderson in race 7.
She has breeding on her side, being by Bettor’s Delight from the family of star pacer Bit Of A Legend.
The filly has been unable to turn that into race track success in two starts but she gets no better chance to turn her form around than against runners who are largely down on form.
Manners will be the key to Kiwi Crusher’s chances when she has her first start for Anderson.
The squaregaiter has broken and put herself out of contention in her three starts since returning from a spell.
She will meet an even and lowly rated field of trotters in race 4.
Sea Rover and Madison Jane seem to be Kiwi’s Crusher’s main rivals tonight.
Kiwi Crusher will also need to hold out Armori and Och Ay The Noo who beat her home in a recent trial.
The 4yrold had a quiet first hitout in Anderson’s colours when fourth of five runners in a Forbury Park trial on Sunday.
That trial was won by Heard The Whisper, who will have his first start since February last year in race 1.
The trotter will need to be at his best when he faces a small lineup largely made up of racehardened runners.
Only a head separated his main rivals, Ace Commander and Trouble Giero, when they clashed at Invercargill last weekend.
Delightful Dash and Four Starzzz Shiraz have a massive advantage over some of their rivals in tonight’s feature pace, race 9.
Four Starzzz Shiraz has a massive 16rating point advantage over the race’s lowest rated runner, Bettor B Ready.
Four Starzzz Shiraz went a big race when just beaten by Especial on Diamonds Day at Invercargill last month.
Race rival Sagwitch ran well in a stronger lineup on the same day. The Syd Breentrained pacer fought strongly to finish third behind Swamp Major.
The horse’s brilliant gate speed could give him a major early advantage over his rivals tonight which makes him the horse to beat.
‘‘He has got really good gate speed and he is really good away from a stand too. He is one of those horses that can get himself right up on the speed,’’ driver Brad Williamson said.
‘‘It is a bit of a step back from what he has been racing so he has got to be a good chance.’’