by Bridget Solomon
The North Island welcomes in the New Year with grass track racing at Tauherenikau Racecourse tomorrow featuring the Connie Stewart NZSIR Wairarapa Cup Handicap Pace.
From their Auckland base, Steve and Amanda Telfer bring five horses to the meeting with some good form behind them.
Prince Miki is the first of the Telfer runners in Race 1, the Homegrown Butcher, Deli & Pantry Mobile Pace over 2000m. The three year old gelding was 2nd behind Yourdoinamazinsweety on debut at Alexandra Park on the 15th December when finishing off strongly.
“He’s come a long way in a short time and his works improved since he’s been to the races” says Telfer “Josh Dickie drives him and he’s a good pacer so I expect he will handle the grass no issues and be a good chance.”
The stable has two horses contending in Race 2, the Hilton Delegat Painting & Decorating Mobile Pace over 2000m. Starting from the ace position is Carbon, driven by Dickie, who has run third at Alexandra Park at both his two race day appearances to date. Stable mate Rockin Roman, driven by Junior Driver Alicia Harrison, makes his race debut.
Medina Magic starts in the Wairarapa Cup, Race 4, with Dickie driving. The gelding has displayed good performances with two wins and a 2nd in his last four starts and can be forgiven his last run after sustaining a punctured tyre with 700m to run.
“Medina Magic is such an honest horse and stepped away fairly well when qualifying from stands a couple of weeks ago so with all going to plan he should go a good race” says Telfer.
The final runner for Team Telfer is Cassius Clyde Race 6, the Liquorland Masterton Mobile Pace.
“He’s a big strong horse and with him having turned 4 he’s eligible for a penalty free win with Junior Driver Alicia Harrison driving which was a draw card” says Telfer.
“It will be the first time on the grass for all our runners today but they are all lovely pacers and I expect they should handle it well with most being solid each way chances.”
The Cup will be a hotly contested race with several runners looking to have claims including last year’s winner Santanna Mach for the in form Michael House Stable, and Artful Living for trainer David Jones who finished 3rd behind Bad Medicine in the Manawatu Cup at his last start.
Race 1 gets under way at 11:25am with the Wairarapa Cup at 12:40pm.
