By MICHAEL GUERIN
The silent mover of the harness racing winter could lead punters to the top of the Pick Six mountain.
Richard Brosnan is back as a serious player among the northern training ranks after a quiet couple of years when his results did not match his undoubted skills as a horseman.
From juveniles to exciting maidens he has produced a more consistent brand of horse in the second half of this season and punters could find him being one of their new best friends in coming months.
Tonight he will take only two runners to Alexandra Park but Paddy Mayne and Aquinas are winning hopes in their respective Pick Six legs.
Paddy Mayne was a slashing second to Ronaldo after being late getting clear last start and while up in class tonight Brosnan rates him better than most in this grade.
"On what he has shown so far I think he should go further than this grade," said Brosnan.
"From this draw I would hope he can keep handy and if the pace is on that will suit him because he has been finding the line well in his races."
That wish should be granted for Brosnan as the third leg of the $100,000 Pick Six contains several freegoers who could set the race up for big finishers like Paddy Mayne and Dunham, who has been racing courageously in better fields.
Aquinas will be trying 3200m for the first time in race eight but his recent performances suggest it holds no fears for him.
"He has improved a lot lately and is far more grown up about racing than he used to be.
"I am very happy with him and while the draw makes Paddy Mayne the better chance of my two, I rate them both big hopes."
Pick Six should be simplified to a Pick Five, with Agua Caliente so superior even a 60m handicap shouldn't stop him winning the second leg.
And look no further than the Barry Purdon debutante Alert Motoring in the first leg.
"He is a handy little horse and paced his last 400m at the workouts in under 28 seconds without being pushed," said Purdon stable foreman Steven Telfer.
"We wouldn't often race a 2-year-old like him against older horses but this race will be penalty-free for him should he win, which is why he is in it."
Purdon will produce another debutante in Mossdale Cam in the richest race of the night but the speedy type may have to play second fiddle to Perfect Seelster in the $70,000 PGG Northern Hemisphere Sales Pace.
Mossdale Cam won well at the workouts last Saturday but has drawn the outside of the front line tonight whereas Perfect Seelster will start a dominant favourite from the ace.
He was a shade disappointing in a stronger field last week but with use of the passing lane tonight is the one to beat in a race he has been set for for a long time.
Racing: Punters could find a quiet friend
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.