Racing: Orange hopes for the best

Mark Jones. Photo / NZPA

An inside draw is not ideal for Astrapi at the twilight meeting at Oamaru today, but he might have the motor to overcome any bad manners.

The Mark Jones-trained trotter has drawn barrier two on the front line of the C2-and-faster 2600m trot today, and his driver Blair Orange is concerned about his starting spot.

The 4-year-old broke at the start of his last race at Forbury Park on December 19, after drawing on the inside of two other horses on the 10m line.

"He's a funny little character," Orange said. "He can do a few things wrong.

"He should be hard to beat, but he's one of those horses that you've just got to go with him.

"If they've got to stand too long, he gets himself into a bit of a fizz."

His starting manners were fine at the first attempt at his last start, but a false start was called, and he galloped for most of the first 100m when the tapes went away the second time.

The Sundon gelding came wide in the straight and was just half a length off Cool Cobber at the line.

"I thought he was quite good at Forbury after missing away early.

"If they don't stand too long, he should be right."

- Otago Daily Times