Racing: Banishing those winter blues

Not many harness racing horsemen are feeling as good about winter as Frank Cooney.

While many trainers and drivers are dreading the cold weather, wet tracks and drop off in class of the horses they partner, Cooney is staring June with a smile on his face.

Last week he tasted a rare group one success with his latest catch-drive, One Dream, in the Sires' Stakes Fillies Championship, a result he hopes to repeat in the $100,000 Caduceus Club Classic next Friday.

There will be nothing quite so glamorous up for grabs at Alexandra Park tonight but Cooney still has winning chances in the night's three major races.

"The way things are going at the moment I am really looking forward to going to the races," admits Cooney.

"Getting the drive on One Dream has been great and horses like Robyn Blue and Scapa this week are good-going types, the sort of horses you like to drive."

He trains and drives both pacers in tonight's main races as well as erratic but highly-talented mare Iwi Alex in the night's big trot.

Robyn Blue, in race seven, looks his best winning chance after some outstanding recent form.

The four-year-old mare was sixth in the star-studded New Zealand Messenger two starts ago and overcame an early break for a gutsy second in last Friday's North Island Breeders Stakes.

Tonight she drops down in grade and distance but looks well placed following out a fast beginner in the 1700m mares' event.

"She has to be hard to beat in this grade," says Cooney.

"She has been going good races and to be honest it was probably my fault she galloped last week.

"But she made a good recovery and I don't think the second line draw will hurt her that much."

While Robyn Blue was good enough to place at group one level last season she was often her own worst enemy until Cooney resorted to racing her with boring poles on both sides of her gear.

"It is not something you would try with a lot of horses but she has driven beautifully since we put them on."

Robyn Blue's biggest danger should be Girl Of Your Dreams, whose gate speed always makes her hard to catch over the sprint trip, and southern filly Zitura will have plenty of fans after her last-start third in the New Zealand Oaks.

While Robyn Blue should start favourite stablemate Scapa faces a far bigger task in the night's main handicap.

The consistent pacer meets class four-year-old River Waltz, as well as hardened types Royal Seal, Lord McEnroe and Canterbury visitor Special Ops.

River Waltz has yet to begin well from a standing start but that didn't stop him beating similar opposition last start.

With a good beginning he would probably be too good for Scapa tonight but his risky manners mean the favourite is no good thing.

"At least I know the standing start will suit Scapa because his manners are so good. All things being equal River Waltz will be tough but my horse is at least an each-way chance."

Special Ops will have plenty of southern support and as one of only two pacers starting off the front line should not be forced into any potentially tricky situations early, which is often the downfall for Alexandra Park debutantes.

Iwi Alex could easily win the main trot, race nine, but would surprise nobody if she finished last because she is incredibly hard to predict.

She was in great form this time last season and while Cooney rates her ability he is loath to tip her.

"You never really know what you are going to get with her."