Ask Me Mach’s the answer for Dunn at Winton
Ask Me Mach, making the trip from West Melton and the drive of Dexter Dunn, looms large in the final of the Southland Golden Girls series at Winton on Sunday.
She led over the final 1200m to win a heat of the series at Forbury Park on May 8 in a 1.57.4 rate for 1700m (mobile).
The Michael House-trained 4-year-old has improved since she finished second to Come On Jaccka at Winton as a 3-year-old.
Come On Jaccka won in 1:56.3 (one mile). Leigh Major, winner of two of the four heats, is back on her favourite track.
The Brendon McLellan-trained mare who has qualified for the Harness Jewels, has gained three of her four wins at Winton.
She has the fastest mile time in the field with her 1.56.4 mile in a heat at Winton last month.
She also won a heat at Gore on April 27 in a 1.57.7 rate for 1700m (mobile).
Sicilian Secret was an impressive winner of the heat at Ascot Park last Saturday in a 2.00.5 rate on a rain affected track.
The Terry and Glenys Chmieltrained Sicilian Secret has since been at the beach with Amber Hoffman.
Delightful Dash, who has been racing generously, is expected to complete her Harness Jewels preparation on a winning note in race 9.
“She looks terrific,” Tony Barron said.
A form reversal from Macy Blue Chip in race 7 would not surprise Barron.
“I am very happy with Macy Blue Chip, although her last two starts have been below average by her standards,” he said.
She has been unplaced in her
trainer last two after winning a double at Ascot Park.
Sheeza Shark wound up her racing preparation for the Harness Jewels with a handy win at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
The 4-year-old mare began fast from 10m to lead early over 2700m, gave way to Harness Jewels rival Sell A Bit at the 2200m, then came along the passing lane to win by three parts of a length.
Sheeza Shark will be the first Harness Jewels representative for Makarewa trainer Austin Stack, who races the mare with Neil McDiarmid, of Mataura, and Trevor Ashby, of Christchurch.
“I won’t be going into the Jewels expecting too much,” Stack said.
“It is a big thing for the owners to be there.”
Stack has been training for 24 years with his first winner, Prince Rashad, who had a maiden win at Forbury Park in 1992.
Prince Rashad carried on to amass 21 wins including the Group II Meadow Fresh 2000 at Addington and Ashburton Cup in 1996.
Sheeza Shark is by Four Starzzz Shark, the sire of Four Starzzz Flash, winner of 14 races including a Central Otago Cup in the part-ownership of Ashby.
Riversdale trainer Shane Matheson put the finishing touches on Machie Mach, a dashing winner of the claiming race on Thursday.
Machie Mach was sent to Matheson a couple of weeks ago by Foxton trainer Peter Scaife.
Tubby Jim was claimed for $2000 by Balclutha trainer Barry Gooch and Aveross Brachole was claimed for $2000 by David Pearce, the West Melton ownertrainer who has won races this season with Whyimbettor and Red Under Fire.