By Josh Smith – Harness News Desk
Trainers Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson are itching to get back to Alexandra Park on Wednesday night with Christianshavtime after what he showed at the Auckland track a fortnight ago.
The Auckland Trotting Club 2019 Syndicate-owned gelding was driven cold by Tony Herlihy at the rear of the field and when asked to accelerate five-wide turning for home he was able to show a blistering turn of foot and just came up a head short of victory in the 2200m contest.
His connections were delighted with his runner-up effort, which extended his solid form line.
“We were really happy with his run last start,” Hollis said. “He had trialled really well before and we were confident of running in the first five, but he raced a bit better than that.
“We have always thought he was a nice horse and with a bit of time he has just improved a lot.
“He has never really gone a bad race, he just has not had a lot of luck in the running and has struck some nice fields.”
The son of American Ideal has pleased Hollis with his work since that run and he is expecting another good showing from the gelding when he contests the Hydroflow Mobile Pace (2200m).
“It’s a really nice rated race for him, he’s the highest rated horse,” Hollis said. “His work has been good, so we are fairly confident heading into the race.”
Christianshavtime has been installed a $4 second-favourite by TAB bookmakers behind the Ray Green-trained Tommy Lincoln at $1.70.
Christianshavtime is not the only horse that is exciting Hollis heading into the new season, he is also looking forward to the return of stablemate Luke John.
The rising three-year-old finished eighth last start in the Gr.1 Cardigan Bay Stakes (1700m) and Hollis has been happy with the way he has returned to his South Auckland barn.
“I have got a little maiden called Luke John who raced four times this year and raced in the Young Guns series,” Hollis said.
“He is trialling again on Friday and is going to Cambridge on Thursday (next week).
“He is the next one to show a bit of form hopefully.