By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Andrew Faulks wishes he had a barn full of horses like Missalyssa.
Last year the daughter of Monarchy placed on Cup Day before winning on Show Day and she replicated the feat at this year’s carnival.
The six-year-old mare was brave when just getting run down by I Dream of Jeannie over 3200m on Cup Day, while she dug deep three days later to get the better of Love N The Port by half a head after getting a dream trip in the trail.
Faulks said she absolutely thrives on racing at this time of year citing her favourability for both the weather and intense competition over the carnival.
“She definitely chooses the right time of year to come right,” Faulks said.
“She likes the warmer weather a bit more than some and the style of racing (also suits her), even when you are working her, she always wants to go flat-out.
“In Cup Week most of the other ones are wanting to go flat-out in front of her and that suits her when she is bowling along.”
Faulks said his mare has come through Cup Week in good order and is thriving ahead of the Allied Security Fillies & Mares Handicap Trot (2600m) at Addington Raceway on Friday.
“She has come through it really well,” he said. “The Show Day run is probably the easiest run she has had for a while.”
While starting behind the 20m tape on Friday, that doesn’t hold too much of a concern for Faulks.
“It is going to be a bit harder off that handicap, but she was 10m behind the other ones on Cup Day and almost pulled it off,” he said.
“She seems pretty well and fit so hopefully it won’t be too much of a hinderance.”
Faulks is hoping Missalyssa continues her form through the summer, with a trip to Central Otago on the cards in the New Year.
“There is a fillies and mares race on the 17th (of December) and then the owner is pretty keen to get to Omakau,” Faulks said.
“We were almost there last year before they got rained off, there is a free-for-all trot there.”