Negus has strong chances at Oamaru

Bruce Stewart Journalist

The quest of Burnham trainer Bruce Negus to have good numbers in the Harness 5000 races in Ashburton next month continues at Oamaru tomorrow.

“It’s a great concept and it’s encouraging the studs not to put their fees up,” Negus said.

With thirty six winners so far this season he’s also closing in on his personal best of forty four, in 2008.

The Negus day gets underway in Race One with Foveaux Gambler (Betting Line).

He didn’t see daylight at his last start at Winton but has good standing start stats and has won on the track before.

“He’s an 80% chance of going away real good. The field last week was not as strong as this week and 2600 suits him better than the mile. I’d expect him to run in the money if he got a reasonable run.”

Three year old maiden trotting filly The Will (Speeding Spur) takes her place in Race Two. After receiving an early check, she ran on well at her last start at Waimate.

“I timed her last half in 59.2 on the grass and I was really happy with her. She came to the end of it 20 metres short of the post. She’s worked on well but is still a work in progress. I part-own Ridge in that race which I’m assuming will be the favourite and hardest to beat. We’re a place chance if we get a reasonable run.”

Negus has two runners in Race Three - Sky News (Sky Major) who draws six and Fox Terror (Terror To Love) who draws the outside of the second row.

Sky News was hindered early at her last start and battled home for fifth.

“She’s only had one trial (prior to her first start this prep) and I feel as though she’s improved since then. She’s not a winning chance but a realistic place chance.”

Fox Terror was game at Kaikoura, finishing second.

“I put him in late because we’re trying to get him in the Harness 5000 and if he was to win a race he’d be sure of that. I think he’s a reasonable each way chance in that race. When do you get the chance to race an average three year old for $60,000 (Harness 5000) without the good ones being there? 

Mouton Cadet (Sir Lincoln) starts in Race Five. He carries very good form and despite his wide draw does have early gate speed to get handy.

“He seems to go his best races if he’s up handy. Even though he can use his gate speed he’s a tough old beggar and he’s got tougher. The draw’s not that bad and he really has got terrific speed. I expect him to race handy and be an each way chance.”

Who does Negus think is the stables best bet?

“For the money he’ll probably pay, Foveaux Gambler because he’s got a track record and has won a lot of money. He’s been trained on the beach at Denis O’Connell’s for the last eight or nine days and they all seem to grow a leg when they’re trained on the beach, especially those older horses.”