3 minute read

Promising young galloper Things Happen looks one of the best chances on this afternoon's seven race card at Taree tackling the class 3 Fab Art Class Handicap over 1300m.

The lightly raced son of VRC Derby winner Benicio has raced just three times in a brief career for two wins and a close up fifth that was on debut.

Two back he broke his maiden status at Port Macquarie on slow going over 1200m in impressive style.

After travelling cosily on the fence early, race rider Robert Thompson hooked the three-year-old wide approaching the turn to gain clear running. He soon collared the leaders in the straight racing away to beat Lotsa Land comfortably.

Last time out Things Happen improved again when tackling a set weights restricted three-year-old race at this track over 1250m.

Again settling midfield, he moved into the race steadily approaching the turn before letting down strongly in the straight to gain the lead close to the line, winning by a long neck from Double Your Money.

This fellow steps up in trip slightly today but judging by the way he has been finishing off his races, that is going to be a big bonus. Certainly on breeding he will appreciate longer distances then even this one later in his career.

Leading rider Robert Thompson will again ride and it should be noted that he and trainer Todd Howlett have a very high strike rate of 23%, something else in the favour of Things Happen today as he strives for a hat trick of wins.

Last start winner Overshadows looms as the big danger.

This gelding has been in impeccable form this campaign not missing the frame in four starts back.

Overshadows normally races handy to the lead and can if necessary take control, which he may have to do here as there is no obvious leader on paper.

Two back he had no luck at Port Macquarie in a benchmark 55 race. Ridden back and covering ground, he hung very badly during the race placing his young rider Gabrielle Coleman at considerable disadvantage.

All the same he managed to get home well enough to take second placing behind One Carat Racer.

Then last time out he behaved much better in a class 3 handicap over this course and distance,

Settling close to the lead on this occasion the issue was never really in doubt, reaching the lead inside the 200m marker before racing clear for an easy win.

Gabrielle Coleman will again have the mount today and her 2 kgs claim will be vital to his chances again.

The lightly raced O'Dellini is a promising galloper in these parts having raced just nine times for two wins, but he has been racing over longer distances than today's 1300m.

He has raced four times since a spell and last start he raced over 1614m at Taree finishing well back in the field.

Prior to that his form had been at 1412m when a handy third to Ranger's Boy but he did win fresh up over 1250m here at Taree in three-year-old restricted class.

The rating he ran to on that occasion is good enough to win this but the question remains is he as good now as he was then?

If so, the Ross Stitt-trained galloper with apprentice Matthew Mc Guren claiming 2kgs is sure to take a hand in the finish.

Ends...