Racing: Double value in trip north

A trip to Addington tonight is all part of the learning experience for Roxburgh mare Al Raza - but that doesn't mean she cannot win.

Co-trainer Geoff Knight, who trains with wife Jude, is not lacking in confidence with the Gotta Go Cullect mare, who won her last four races last season before taking a break.

Knight took the 4yr-old from Roxburgh to Oamaru yesterday before joining Phil Williamson's team for the drive north today for Al Raza to take her place in a c1-c2 mares' race with junior drivers.

The reason for the trip was two-fold, Knight said.

''It's penalty-free and hopefully we can have her ready for that race on Show Day [for horses trained south of the Waitaki River]. ''If she won another one between now and that race she would be ineligible, so we've really got to target junior drivers' races if she can.''

Knight said if the race for horses trained in Otago and Southland became a reality for Al Raza, this week's travel experience would have helped.

''That was the other thing behind it - see how she travels, see how she eats up and see how she recovers from the trip,'' he said.

''That'll all be added to the equation before we make our final decision about going up there for Show Day . . . She gets a bit of shaking on at the races sometimes, but all in all, she's sensible and relaxed.''

Al Raza has been in top form at the trials, winning a workout three weeks ago and downing Shak'n Cullen and Onedin Mach at the Gore trials last week.

Brad Williamson will take the drive in the junior drivers' mobile pace (1950m).

''I was keen to go forward and we still might, but I'll leave it up to Brad. She's got gate speed but there are a few inside her that have, too. She's just as good coming from in behind as she is in front, so I have no concerns about it.''

Arizona Pete (race 5) is rated the Knights' best chance at Winton on Sunday.

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