Racing: Classy filly hits Cambridge

Brent Mangos drives Bettor Cover Lover (13) to victory at the Harness Jewels. Photo / Christine Cornege

Don't be put off by Bettor Cover Lover's lack of a lead-up race when the sensational filly returns at Cambridge tomorrow night.

Because class and her stable's recent record suggest it won't be a problem.

Bettor Cover Lover was one of the best juvenile fillies ever produced in New Zealand last season, winning a string of group races before a stunning performance in the Harness Jewels in June on the track she returns to tomorrow night.

Her co-trainer Brent Mangos searched in vain for a suitable lead-up race to her Sires' Stakes heat tomorrow, with targeted races at Cambridge and Alexandra Park falling through.

But he is confident that even without a decent blowout Bettor Cover Lover can overcome a wide front line barrier draw.

"I would have liked to get a race into her but her work has been good," said Mangos. "And she has had two good runs at the workouts so I think she will be fine. She will definitely improve with this race but I think she can still win."

That opinion is backed up by Bettor Cover Lover's workouts form and her co-trainer's record with fresh horses. Bettor Cover Lover beat stablemate Talaspring at the workouts last month before the latter went on to win twice at Alexandra Park.

And Mangos and training partner Hayden Cullen have a superb record with horses early in their campaigns, having produced four horses in the last two months to win either fresh-up or in the second run of a new campaign.

While Bettor Cover Lover faces a wide draw it is not a fast front line and she showed in her Harness Jewels victory Mangos is not scared to use her early.

While she was the dominant filly of her crop last season her trainer believes she is stronger now.

"She hasn't grown a lot taller but in her work she feels better."

Those words will leave many punters willing to take short odds about her tomorrow night, with Minnie Moose and Kotare Casino looking the biggest dangers, if any.

While the rare Saturday night Cambridge meeting hasn't drawn big fields punters could be wise to take the short odds on offer for some of the favourites.

Bettor Party could start that ball rolling in race one, while Gomeo Romeo only has to behave himself to win race four.

And the Tony Herlihy-trained pair of McTaggart (race five) and Agent Smart (race six) look well placed to continue their good recent form.

AWESOME LOVER

* Bettor Cover Lover returns to Cambridge tomorrow night.

* The champion filly hasn't raced since winning the Jewels on this track in June.

* Trainer-driver Brent Mangos says she is forward enough to overcome a wide draw.

* The rare Saturday night meeting features several short-priced favourites.