By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Former Gr.1 New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) winner Thefixer will make his much anticipated raceday return at Addington Raceway on Friday night.
It will be his first outing under the care of new trainer Regan Todd who is excited to watch the Group One winner contest the Gr.2 Lamb & Hayward Canterbury Classic (2600m).
“It’s good to finally get him there. It has been a long time coming but so far so good,” Todd said.
“He seems pretty well, but looking at him he is still pretty big in condition.”
The seven-year-old gelding has had three recent trials and Todd was particularly pleased with his last hit-out when finishing fourth over 2600m.
“They had that really good trial last week with Spankem and Self Assured. They went 3.12 so that was a good blowout for him,” Todd said.
“He peaked up the straight but it was definitely what he needed going into this race.”
Todd has reserved expectations heading into the race, but expects Thefixer to derive a lot of benefit from his first-up run.
“I am not expecting him to win it, but I don’t think he will disgrace himself either,” he said.
“We are just going in there needing the race and the big picture for him is the (New Zealand) Cup.
“It’s just the first stepping stone really.”
Todd is looking forward to heading towards the second Tuesday in November with The Fixer, who won the race in 2018 when trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.
“It’s not very often we get horses like that come up the driveway,” he said. “I am very grateful to Mark and Natalie and the owners for giving me the opportunity.
“It’s going to be interesting having a horse in the biggest race that you dream of winning.”
Todd said Thefixer will likely have two more raceday starts in the lead-up to the New Zealand Trotting Cup.
“He could look at going to Methven next maybe, but they are looking at programming a free-for-all on the 16th (October) at Addington which may be a better option,” he said.
He will definitely go to the Ashburton Flying Stakes and the Cup Trial and then hopefully we are cherry ripe for the cup.”
While Thefixer will be Todd’s stable flagbearer on Friday, he will also line-up Canstar in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Mobile Pace (1980m) and That Alexander Guy in the Happy 90th Birthday Jill Bush Mobile Pace (1980m).
“Canstar has been going well in some nice fields. I think she will be quite competitive if she can get handy early,” Todd said.
“That Alexander Guy has been going well. He is in the same boat, he has been racing some nice horses but hasn’t let us down yet this time in.
“He has got a terrible draw (12), but if he can get a drag up into it he is a top three chance.”
