Nutcracker looks best of Hurrell's chances at Invercargill

by Jonny Turner

Nutcracker heads the big book of drives Mark Hurrell combines with at Ascot Park on Saturday.

Only a scratching in race 1 has denied the Wyndham reinsman the chance to compete in every race at the final Invercargill meeting before Southland’s upcoming hiatus from racing.

Hurrell combines with several key winning chances and he rates Nutcracker ($3.20) the best of them.

“She is fresh up for a wee while, but she has been working nice at home,” the driver said.

“She has got a wide draw, but she is a pretty nice horse and hopefully she will go close.”

Gift Card ($4.50) was only just denied in his last start at Ascot Park and he looks another big winning chance for Hurrell in race 4.

“His last run looked really nice, he narrowly missed.”

“The conditions of the race suit him down to the ground – having two wins.”

“He is off the front obviously and he should give them something to chance.”

California Dreaming ($6.50) also looks a genuine each way threat for Hurrell, coming into race 5 on the back of a gritty seventh placing.

“It was still good last time, he was three-wide for a long way around Winton.”

“Before that his form was good, I’d say he will pick one up in the next couple of weeks.”

Hurrell also combines with Conquer Clare ($15), who should strip much fitter following her fresh up 5th last week.

“I’d say she’s an each way chance, it looks a really even field.”

“She has got a nice draw to use and she will be fitter for that first up run.”

American Mac ($12) steps back into a winnable grade in race 10 for Hurrell and he looks a cheeky hope.

“I was really happy with his run two starts ago at Winton.”

“He probably got too keen in front the other day.”

“He is probably best driven with a sit and if we can do that and he can go as good as he went at Winton, he should be a good place chance.”

Hurrell also combines with Delightful Chevron ($31), Atarah ($12), Wy Fi ($12) and Mucho Fuerte ($18) on Saturday.