Racing: Small fields will make it hard to swell the bank

Sir Lincoln. Photo / NZ Herald

A perfect storm of factors may leave punters struggling to make money at Alexandra Park tonight but that won't be a problem for the Kumeu Trotting Club hosting the meeting.

While the fields are the smallest in living memory for a Friday night meeting at Auckland's home of harness racing, the Kumeu club is, surprisingly, set to come out on top.

Just 55 horses over eight races will contest tonight's meeting, in no small way because of the fact Cambridge raced last night and Northland race here on Tuesday. Tonight's fields have been hit hard because Kumeu, being a smaller tenant club, don't boast the high stakes the Auckland Trotting Club do so they have struggled to attract horses looking for easier opportunities last night or on Tuesday.

Yet the KTC will profit from tonight's meeting, with the reduced number of races and starters meaning they will pay out much less in stakes.

And with their turnover guaranteed to 85 per cent of the original budget by HRNZ, that coupled with inter-track betting on the Addington meeting tonight will mean the meeting is a financial success.

That may not mean a lot to punters but it still means Northern Harness have done the responsible thing holding the meeting, even though it starts with 16 horses in the first three races.

"We have an obligation to hold race meetings where possible and this one will make money," said ATC racing manager Kevin Smith.

"That means money in the pockets of owners, trainers and drivers, which is vitally important."

The smallest field of the night still poses an interesting test for punters as group one winners Sir Lincoln and Devil Dodger clash for the third time in recent starts.

The key to their meeting in race two, and many of the races tonight, will be the usual racing pattern for small fields at Alexandra Park, with little mid-race pressure making for sprints home.

That would seem to play into the hands of Sir Lincoln, who has the gate speed to go forward and dominate the race until he needs to dash home, which suits him perfectly.

Devil Dodger has been a little plain by his high standards in recent starts but could be more potent over 2200m, although in such a tactical battle he could be left to try and work past Sir Lincoln at full speed.

Punters wondering how to make money tonight simply need to look for leaders or trailers and be willing to double up on smaller dividends.

The first race sees a real mobile specialist in Snowed On as a great bet as he has already shown recently he is too strong for Muscle And Power.

Delight Brigade in race three looks another leader and is chasing a free win as a 3-year-old, while also chasing a bonus is Tiger Tina in race seven.

FRIDAY NIGHT FANCIES

Best: Sir Lincoln (R2, Alex Park): Should lead and win.
Next: Snowed On (R1, Alex Park): Loves the mobile and has handy young driver in Vincent Langdon.
Each way: Joshua Mac (R6, Addington): Good from a stand and comes in well tonight.
Stable changes: Westminster Chapel (R5, Alex Park): Now with Steven Reid and good winner at the workouts. Can overcome draw.
Comeback: Tozzie (R3, Rangiora): Former trotting star now with the Hope stable and comes into ideal race.