A fine effort in the Group One New Zealand Derby looks like great form for Alta Meteor to take to the Motukarara Christmas Cup on Friday.
The Stonewall Stud pacer come into the 2810m feature after flashing home for fifth from a tough draw on Grand Prix Day.
Alta Meteor looks well-placed, stepping back in class in Friday’s Motukarara Christmas Cup despite starting from a 20m handicap.
“He went through a bit of a lull for a while there, but just lately he seems to be getting back to his best,” driver Tim Williams said.
“His last run was very good, and we can’t fault his work since we moved to the new property.”
“There are a few question marks, first start on grass and drawn 1 off 20m in an 18-horse field.”
“But as I said, we couldn’t really be happier with him.”
As with most of his rivals, the start of the race will be crucial for the three-year-old, who is a standing start rookie with just two prior attempts.
But Williams is hopeful the horse can put his feet in the right places.
Williams also links up with another Stonewall Stud pacer in Glengarry Moonlight.
The gelding brings patchy form to race 10, but he hasn’t had too much luck lately.
“He is probably going better than his form might suggest,” Williams said.
“Off his first-up run, I was pleased with his effort; he dragged a flat tyre and was only four lengths from them.”
“He gets his chance to show a bit of form in that race.”
Aiguille looks like a key outside drive for Williams in race 5.
The trotter slots nicely into the event on his rating and looks a genuine winning threat.
“He can be hard to catch, but he has generally run better races on the grass.”
“In that sort of field, you would think he would have to be a handy chance.”
Williams links up with Aldebaran Floss for the first time in race 11, while the reinsman combines with Stubing, who steps up in grade in race 12.
Tanganyika could be a cheeky gold coin option for Motukarara punters.
The pacer brings patchy form, but he has excellent course stats at Motukarara.
