Gargamel has already mastered the hurdles, and it seems he is taking the right steps in steeplechase before tomorrow's $20,000 Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton.
The South Island has been kind to apprentice jockey Brett Murray.
Chasing the stones ... One of the best parts of the Harness Jewels is the last-minute dash for cash that happens this weekend every year.
There is more than just another win at stake in race 9 at Ascot Park tomorrow.
The worst is hopefully behind the Otago Racing Club as staff get the 2000m track ready for a race meeting on May 31.
A wide draw has not scared off the New Zealand TAB bookies from installing The Orange Agent as an odds-on favourite in tomorrow night's New Zealand Oaks for pacers at Addington.
The Forbury Park Trotting Club will more strictly enforce its rules relating to children having access to the stables and secure areas of the track from now on, the club's general manager says.
Wingatui trainer Terry Kennedy should have two progressive mares ready to goin spring.
The boys from Balclutha have maintained their perfect start to the season.
The Orange Agent's South Island debut at Addington on Saturday should send more than alarm bells through her rivals - the emergency sirens should be going off.
Poppymalda will be part of a convoy of southern pacers and trotters on the road north to Ashburton for the Harness Jewels at the end of this month.
Any driver not named Dexter Dunn might be in for a long winter at Forbury Park, judging by last night.
The first 200m of tomorrow's $150,000 Nevele R Fillies final at Addington could tell driver Tim Williams whether he will add to his unforgettable first season with the All Stars Stables.
The good ...
Jaccka Justy and Jonny Cox are in different locations these days, but the Dominion-winning pair will combine once again at Forbury Park tonight.
Robbie Close is gunning for his one shot - and one shot only - at being crowned the best junior driver in Australasia.
Graeme Anderson's plan of sneaking under the radar with Titan Banner could well pay off at the end of this month.
Terry McDonald could never get tired of the applause for his champion horse Terror To Love.
Jaccka Emberz could be the horse to ignite the smouldering fire inside punters who have never owned a pacer before.
The band One Direction might be facing an uncertain future, but the horse of the same name has plenty more ahead of him.