Racing: Tough draw to help trotter regain form

What at first glance appears a horror draw may be all Springbank Richard needs to return to winning form at Cambridge tonight.

That is the opinion of master trainer of trotters Phil Williamson, who will take two former Harness Jewels winners to tonight's $27,500 trotting sprint.

Williamson will also produce Leighton Hest in the event, which will host a $25,000 quaddie pool for the TAB's bonus weekend.

But while Leighton Hest has drawn three and Springbank Richard the outside of the front line, Williamson says the latter is still his clear top pick of his pair.

"While the draw isn't great it won't bother him as much as some other horses," said Williamson.

"He likes to get a roll on and I can see him following Houdini Star across the face of the field.

"I'd be surprised if he isn't parked or in front with 800m to go and from there he would be hard to catch."

While his formline doesn't suggest it, Springbank Richard is the best trotter racing in the country at present, an honour he would hold narrowly over race-rival tonight in Raydon.

He was luckless but still outclassed by the Chris Lang-trained stars Skyvalley and Sundon's Gift in Melbourne last month then disgraced himself when galloping in the score up in the National Trot at Alexandra Park last Thursday.

"I don't think you will see a repeat of that," said Williamson.

The Oamaru trainer believes Springbank Richard is trotting as strongly now as when he won the Dominion Handicap in November and he does have a superb mobile sprint record, having won two Harness Jewels and the Ashburton Flying Mile.

He does meet some very in-form trotters tonight though in Houdini Star, Raydon and a newcomer to open class in Pocaro.

Houdini Star has returned to his best off the back of an increased work regime and a diet and he loves mobile sprint racing.

With his experience he should be able to head forward and potentially even lead or trail, with the 1700m start point at Cambridge not quite so fearful for those drawn wide.

From handy to the speed he will be a great each-way chance.

Raydon was enormous after being forced to sit three wide for the first half of the National Trot last week before narrowly going down to Houdini Star.

A mobile 1700m may not be his perfect race at this stage of his career but he is developing at such a rate a win would still not surprise.

Pocaro is an interesting newcomer, having won her division of the Harness Jewels over a similar trip last season.

She bolted away from weaker opponents at Alexandra Park last week and if she can hold the lead from the ace she will be tough but punters should be aware she can still be a little unbalanced early.

FLYING STAKES
* Springbank Richard faces a tough draw as he tries to return to winning form at Cambridge tonight.
* Trainer Phil Williamson says he is in the same form that saw him win the Dominion in November.
* Houdini Star, Raydon and Pocaro add depth to one of the strongest trots at Cambridge in recent seasons.
* The race will have a $25,000 bonus added to the quaddie pool.