On paper today’s Kaikoura Cup is Smolda’s race to lose.
But as the old saying goes, horses don’t race on paper, they race on a track and the Kaikoura track may play a major factor in whether or not the grand gelding can add another feature race to his repertoire.
With a short run to the first bend from the stand start position, the first 200 metres of the event is going to be almost as important as what happens in the final 200 metres with the early jostle for positions a key talking point ahead of the seaside feature.
Stand start flyers; Mossdale Conner, Tiger Tara and Franco Nelson are all on the front line and any one of those could lead out if they get caught on the right foot, leaving Smolda who will start from the inside draw of one in a perilous position back on the markers if Tim Williams is unable to extricate himself from the fence.
Smolda, the Methven Cup winner, missed last Monday’s Ashburton Flying Stakes after a slight blood disorder but the All Stars camp of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen have confirmed that the current third favourite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup has taken no ill effects from the minor disruption to his preparation.
“It was nothing too serious,” Purdon said.
“There was just a wee issue with his bloods after Methven, but he’s come back through it very well and we are expecting a big run from him.”
A $6 chance to win the Cup in eight days, those keen on Smolda would be well advised to invest on him prior to today’s Kaikoura Cup as a winning performance could see him shorten in enough to usurp stablemate Have Faith In Me as a clear second favourite behind the rampant Lazarus.
The stable also has Titan Banner engaged in the race.
The former Otago pacer was a solid third behind Smolda at Methven and with natural progression he is expected to strip a much fitter horse this afternoon.
Blair Orange will take the reins behind the five-year-old.
While the Cup is always a highlight, there will be plenty of interest in the South Bay Trotters’ Cup which has drawn an even field.
Amaretto Sun, who holds down the position of second favourite for next Friday’s Dominion Handicap behind the incomparable Monbet is one of the leading lights, but his tricky barrier draw of one on the second line might make life a little difficult for the Ken Ford trained runner.
Sunny Ruby, who has produced a mixed bag of results so far this campaign, gets her chance to put her hand up from a handy front line barrier draw with her stand start manners key to the race.
A stand start flyer when caught in the right mood, Gavin Smith may elect to press the button early and hand up to front running prospect like Bordeaux which would see her right in contention.
Australian trotter, Kyvalley Blur will have the arduous task of starting off a 15 metre handicap in the event for Brent Lilley and Anthony Butt but his Alexandra Park win earlier in the month was good enough to suggest he could be a player if he gets himself into the right position.
Today’s third feature, the PGG Wrightson New Zealand Yearling Sales Aged Pace is as intriguing as those races before it.
The $50,000 event has come together with a capacity field headed by the Tony Herlihy trained Walkinshaw who has come back in fine fettle as a four-year-old judging by his fresh up Alexandra Park win a fortnight ago.
New Zealand Trotting Cup nominee Moonrock will be put on notice if he is to make the field for next week’s Cup while Torrid Bromac, Mighty Flying Major, Tas Man Bromac and The Faithful all have chances in an even line up.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: James Dean, Righteous Brother, Jonty James, Memphis Mac
Race 2: Buildinganempire, Maninthemirror, Scotlyn Harry, Fourpenny One
Race 3: Franco Hampton, Afterdinnerspeaker, Lloydin Magic, Billy Badger
Race 4: Franco Texas, Shillelagh, Algrancobowjoel, Danse Macabre
Race 5: Donegal Bettorgretch, Royal Shine, Destiny Jones, Quevert
Race 6: Sunny Ruby, Amaretto Sun, Bordeaux, Quite A Moment
Race 7: Tiger Tara, Smolda, Titan Banner, Mossdale Conner
Race 8: Moonrock, Walkinshaw, Torrid Bromac, Tas Man Bromac
Race 9: Stroke Of Luck, Smithy, Kotare Yael, Happy Heidi
Best Bet: Moonrock (Race 8)
Value: Buildinganempire (Race 2)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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