Junior driver looking toward Cup day role

You’d forgive Ben Laughton for having one eye on Tuesday when he steers two horses around at the Rangiora meeting today.

The Canterbury junior driver pilots a couple of modest chances at the twilight meeting and it will be quite an upset if either wins.

So, it’s understandable that he’s more thinking about making his New Zealand Cup Day debut at Addington next Tuesday.

His boss, Dean Taylor, together with the owners, have entrusted him to continue his association with Go Davey in a $25,000 sprint.

‘‘I’m pretty excited. It’s a few days away yet, but the nerves are already starting to kick in.

‘‘It’s definitely going to be a real thrill to go out there in front of 20,000 people, as well as all my family and friends.

‘‘And the best part is that it’s a couple of races before the Cup so it’s right when the day is at its peak rather than the first or last.’’

He’s been driving Go Davey in all his recent racing and says he’s immensely grateful to get the opportunity on such a big stage.

‘‘Dean left the decision up to the owners and they’ve been really good to me in that sense. When a senior horseman couldn’t drive him earlier in the year, they put me straight on and fortunately I’ve been with him ever since.’’

The pair have already won two races together and Laughton credits him as being ‘‘a consistent horse that always tries his best’’.

‘‘It’s a bit different to what we’ve had recently, which is standing starts. This week it’s a mobile and he’s drawn to get a drag along.

‘‘Being Cup day, the speed should be on all the way and his staying ability should come in to it.’’

His best chance at Rangiora today is Glory Days in the junior drivers’ race, but her chances have been cruelled by a couple of scratchings, meaning she’s on the inside of the second line.