Paramount Queen won in a New Zealand record time for 2200m (mobile) at Alexandra Park last Friday. Natalie Rasmussen drove the Mark Purdon-Grant Payne-trained filly with Orange at Addington.
Orange has driven Paramount Queen in her other six starts for a win at Addington and four minor placings.
Orange has driven the winner of six HJ races, including the first at Ashburton in 2007 on GTH Aveross.
He drove Fiery Falcon and Highview Tommy to win for the Purdon-Payne stable at the 2008 series at Cambridge.
Paramount Queen is a half-sister by Love You to Paramount Geegee, winner of the 3yr-old trotter section at Ashburton last year.
A blood test of Smolda, a stablemate of Paramount Queen, has indicated all is in order.
Pembrook's Delight travelled to Pukekohe on Sunday with her Roxburgh co-trainer, Geoff Knight after confirming a start in the HJ with a workout win at Rangiora the previous day. The mare was treated for severe dehydration after she performed poorly at Addington on May 18.
"She travelled really well and has ate up," Knight said last night.
Mene Jaccka and Lively Hero leave the Roxburgh stable today after being sold to Perth and Sydney respectively. Olgoldnblack, Winsome Caesar, Yeah Right and Onedin Jewel have been recently sold out of the Knight stable to QueenslandPacific Rapture has recovered from a blood disorder diagnosed after her last start at Cambridge on May 10. Trainer Phillip Burrows has advised stewards that he had freshened the filly.
David Butt, who has yet to win a a HJ race, has catch drives in Holme Fire and Bettors Creek.
He is the trainer-driver of Habibti and Opulent, both sound prospects.
The Mark Jones-trained Holme Fire was a winner at Addington on May 18 with Orange the driver. He is required for Living The Dream this week. Bettors Creek won at Alexandra Park last Friday in the hands of Dexter Dunn, who drives stablemate Texican in the 3yr-old pacer section.
