Racing: Sights on hometown victory

Two of Waikato's best young pacers will be vying for a hometown victory in tonight's $40,000 Futurity Stakes at Cambridge.

They are Mi Muchacho and V For who line up against some of New Zealand's best 3 and 4-year-old pacers in the 2700m standing start event.

The race is partly a lead-up to the Taylor Mile and the New Zealand Messenger, both for 4-year-olds, at Alexandra Park on April 22 and 29 respectively.

There were only eight acceptors for the race but Cambridge-Te Awamutu Harness Racing Club racing manager Kerry Wells was delighted with the quality.

"Our feature event is a group two race for 3 and 4-year-old pacers and has attracted some of our best 4-year-olds including the Mark Purdon trained Imagine That and Lennon," Wells said. "There is also Waikato's best V For and Mi Muchacho, as well as Myron and the much improved Cosmic Illusion, That's Life Lavra and Walks On Water.

"The Futurity is one of our most prestigious races each year and has risen $10,000 in stakes since 1997."

The Richard Anderson trained Mi Muchacho will be the toughest to beat.

The son of Wilcos Kosby is a tough customer who can sprint and stay better than most. The Morrinsville-trained gelding has won 10 of 19 starts and has only once failed to finish in the first three.

Cambridge-trained gelding V For should provide tough opposition.

Trained by Mike Berger, he was second to Myron last start and won well over 2200m on March 4. Like Myron, the son of Christian Cullen only needs luck in the running to threaten Mi Muchacho.

Meanwhile, another feature on the card is the $30,000 Pyne Gould Guiness Yearling Sales Northern Graduette in which some of New Zealand's best 2-year-olds will be racing.

Likely favourite, Gretamaro, has won three of her last five starts and the former South Islander should be suited the left-handed way of racing at Cambridge.

Trained by Lew Driver at West Melton, Gretamaro has won at Alexandra Park, Forbury Park and Addington Raceway since December 27 and is having her first start on the track but she has won twice over the distance.

The daughter of Holmes Hanover has drawn ideally at four. H Adour and Yassi should provide her toughest opposition.

- NZPA