Kirista Rabain will attempt to make further inroads towards an impressive double when harness stakes racing resumes at the National Equestrian Centre on New Year’s Day.

The experienced driver is in contention for honours in the Two-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old stakes series, competing with stallion Gold Rush and gelding Red October heading into the final two races.

“I’m very excited going into the stakes races,” Rabain told The Royal Gazette. “To have two top contenders in their age groups is very exciting.

“Red October has been learning quite quickly since his arrival in early November. He’s such a dream to drive. Gold Rush has been impressive since the start as a two-year-old. We just have to see what else these horses have to offer next race day.”

Gold Rush and rival Huntingforgold set the early pace in the Two-Year-Old Stakes dash on Boxing Day, while Red October led the way in the Four-Year-Old Stakes. Huntingforgold, driven by Tahzil Flood, recorded the fastest time in the Two-Year-Old Stakes so far with 1:05/3, while Red October leads the Four-Year-Old Stakes with a time of 1:03/1.

Two ponies that have lived up to expectations are geldings War Machine and Smart Machine in the Free For All category. Colin Mello’s ten-year-old gelding, War Machine, was the most consistent pony in the Aged Stakes on Boxing Day, posting the fastest time of the day at 1:02/4 while competing against Special Gold and Rockeyed Optimist.

“Happy with how he raced on Boxing Day and hopefully he races just as good or better on New Year’s Day,” Mello said.

War Machine’s time was just 0.60 seconds shy of the season’s fastest time of 1:02/1, which he shares with Smart Machine. The latter has also lived up to expectations, competing against sole rival Holy Grail in the Three-Year-Old Stakes with Candyce Martins in the bike.

“I am excited for the final day,” Martins said. “Smart Machine had two good races.”

Smart Machine has clocked the fastest time in its division at 1:04/1. The eventual stakes winners in each category will be determined by the fastest average time at the end of the four-dash series.

New Year’s Day racing begins at 1pm at Vesey Street and will also feature the popular Powder Puff Races involving drivers of all ages. The pre-race driver’s meeting will be held at noon.