Unloaded gunning for win in final

Samantha Ottley has experienced the highs and lows of racing this season. Photo by Matt Smith.
Samantha Ottley. Photo by Matt Smith.
Canterbury driver Samantha Ottley and Southland pacer Unloaded will attempt to continue their winning combination in tonight's South Of The Waitaki Series final at Addington.

The pair have combined to win the last two heats of the series.

Ottley said the Peter Hunter-trained 4yr-old had felt like he had been loving his work recently.

"He is racing really good and he is just in the zone and everything is falling in to place."

Unloaded has not only been impressive, he has been versatile in both his wins.

The Mach Three pacer led and sprinted away from his rivals over 2600m in heat two of the series.

In heat three, he charged around the field from last with a lightning-fast move before going on to score.

That versatility should mean Ottley has every necessary weapon at her disposal to help Unloaded win the series final over the same distance tonight.

"He has been pretty versatile in the heats so far, so he certainly has options.

"It depends on what the other ones do early, but he has certainly got a really good turn of foot early and late.

"If I have to use his gate speed, I will, otherwise he can sit back and get over the top of them."

There should be few surprises in tonight's final, with the same small pool of horses that have contested the heats making up the eight runners in the final.

The Croupier and Tartan Robyn, who have both performed consistently through the series, look the main dangers to Unloaded.

Ay Boy, who impressively won the first heat of the series, would be a strong chance if he could bounce back from his disappointing heat three effort behind Unloaded.

Ottley looks to have a book of drives loaded with winning chances at Addington, tonight.

Among them is Dream Major, who will have his first start since winning on debut more than 11 months ago.

The pacer, who has transferred from Barry Purdon's stable to Regan Todd's barn, caught the eye when going to the line full of running in a recent Rangiora trail.

"I had a couple of steers behind him at the workouts and he pleased me," Ottley said.

"He is a little bit green still - he has only had one start. He is still learning what it is all about, but I think the motor is certainly there." Ottley has a trio of good winning chances for trainer Mark Jones tonight.

They include Harmony Delight, Immortal Change and Uptown Lady.

Ottley will drive Invaluable for trainer Cran Dalgety in the 2yr-old race.

The pacer will clash with the two horses who defeated him on debut at Ashburton in Can I Be Me and In Chevron We Trust.

That pair swooped on Invaluable after he worked around the field to lead.

With a better run tonight he may be able to turn the tables.

"The other two just had the drop on him, but he fought right to the line.

"They are in it again and are going to be hard to beat, but he has got a nice draw and hopefully if he doesn't have to do too much work he can go a couple of places better."

Ottley also drives each-way chance Santanna Mach and outside hope Awesome Impee tonight.


 

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