By Michael Guerin
The chances of the Wallis-Hackett stable continuing their golden Alexandra Park trotting season have increased even before tonight’s meeting begins.
The perennial leading trotting stable in the north are already up to 21 trotting winners this season and will have six of the eight starters in the feature trot on Thursday.
That includes Springbank Mason and All Cashed Up, both off a 40m handicap, from where they could have struggled to catch greatly-improved front marker Ilsas Son.
The latter was chasing his fifth win from six starts since coming north to join the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan team but will now miss tonight’s race.
“He has a hoof abscess so we had to scratch him,” says Phelan.
That means one less class horse on the front line and should greatly aid Springbank Mason and All Cashed Up, the two best horses in the race.
Springbank Mason was excellent winning last start and was good enough to finish seventh in the Rowe Cup in May.
All Cashed Up has also shown true open class ability since coming across from Australia including finishing third in the Anzac Cup and he looked ready when winning in a quick time at the Pukekohe workouts last weekend.
The Wallis/Hackett numerical domination in the trot is surpassed by Team Telfer in the juvenile pacing fillies race in which they have six of the seven starters.
While Seasidestar won for them beating older horses last start trainer Steve Telfer has a big opinion of Akatea, who was second in a strong maiden last start and with the better draw she can win.
Later in the night they have outstanding filly Kahlua Flybye returning against the likes of Simply Sam and Magic Four in the last race, with early tactics crucial over 1700m.
One of the other highlights of the night will be race 6, which brings together plenty of in-form horses headlined by impressive last-start winners Third Time and Jethro Bodine.
They meet the talented but erratic Nelson’s Boy while Derby and Oaks contenders in Two Eye See and Wicked Wanda ensure it will be a form race to follow.
