By Jonny Turner
Allamericanlover must pull off a remarkable feat if she is to win the inaugural running of the New Zealand Country Championship at Addington on Saturday night.
The Steve and Amanda Telfer comes into the 3200m feature after a powerful mile (1609m) victory at Wyndham.
Doubling a horse’s distance range is a big challenge for any stable, but it is something Amanda Telfer is comfortable Allamericanlover can handle.
“She is pretty good and she doesn’t carry a lot of weight, so she doesn’t take too much to get ready.”
“And the mile as well as the trip down and back takes a little bit out of them.”
“So we were actually happy that it was only a mile she raced over last week.”
“She was going to start the week before but the race didn’t look that good for her.”
“But it was penalty-free with Ellie (Barron) driving her, it looked an ideal race and it was.”
“We are very happy with her going into Saturday night.”
Allamericanlover starts behind the 10m tapes for driver Tim Williams.
The pair will have to beat out a 16-horse field that includes four runners trained by Williams’ sister-in-law Jenna Dunn.
The Robert and Jenna Dunn stable start a powerful line up which includes Sam’s Town, Dashing Major, Jimmy Arma and Got You Covered.
The Telfer team have two more runners starting on Saturday night.
Cya Art and Mr Perfect both step out in race 4, one of the RATTO events on the Addington card.
Cya Art starts from barrier 1 on the second line, following out Stac which looks a potentially handy spot.
The pacer disappointed first up in the South Island, but he has had trained on well since settling into his new surroundings.
“He had only arrived down the Wednesday night before the race,” Amanda Telfer said.
“He has settled in well since then.”
“He is following out Stac, so if he is handy enough I think he will run an honest race.”
Mr Perfect drops in grade and draws handily which Telfer thinks should suit him.
“I think Mr Perfect is better suited racing up on the speed.”
“He ran a really good race down south sitting in the breeze and I just think it was because he was up on the speed.”
“If he can be handy he can hopefully go a good race, he is working well and feeling good.”
The Greg and Nina Hope stable have a key hand in the Sires Stakes Aged Trotters Classic with the favourite Midnight Dash and rough hope Baxter.
The pair clash with an ex-Hope trained Matua Tana who makes his return to racing for the first time since November of 2020.
The eight-year-old hasn’t trialled ahead of his return, but it wouldn’t be any surprise if new trainer Paul Nairn had him ready for a big first up effort.