By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk
Regan Todd will be keeping close tabs on two venues on Friday.
The Canterbury trainer has runners at both Nelson and Cambridge meetings, and he is particularly excited about the feature races on both cards.
At the top of the South Island, Todd will contest the Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup (3000m) with in-form pacers Cheezel and That Alexander Guy.
Cheezel heads into the race off the back of three placings, including a last start third at Motukarara over 2810m.
“I was quite happy with Cheezel’s run at Motukarara on the grass,” Todd said. “She went in quite fresh, so you would like to think that she would improve a bit.
“She has worked well since. She just needs a bit of luck, she is a bit of a follower if anything.
“She should be alright over 3000m, she ran over 2810m last start, so another 200m shouldn’t worry her.
“She is a bit hit or miss sometimes (in standing starts), so we are just hoping she steps away.”
While Cheezel has drawn the ace marble, stablemate That Alexander Guy will have to navigate his way around the field from his 20m back mark.
It’s the Group Three performer’s first start since his third-placing at Timaru early last month, but Todd said he wouldn’t be surprised if the gelding featured in the finish on Friday.
“That Alexander Guy seems well within himself and he is going well,” Todd said. “You would like to think that he will tighten up a lot better for the mile on Sunday.
“He is not in there without a chance, it is quite an even field.”
Further north, Group One winner Thefixer will be looking to rectify his late break in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) last start when he lines-up in the Gr.2 McMillan Equine Feeds Flying Mile Mobile Pace (1609m) at Cambridge Raceway.
“It’s one of those things that’s hard to put it (break) down to, but Bob (Butt, driver) was of the opinion that he might have got his knee around that last bend when they were trying to run into it, but it’s just one of those things that you have got to put behind you,” Todd said.
Thefixer has drawn barrier five in the seven-horse field and Todd believes he will need a lot of luck from that draw.
“It is going to be hard from there, especially Copy That drawing inside him,” Todd said. “He is likely to bowl forward and lead and park the rest of them.
“We are going to need a good run from there really, it will just depend where he ends up early.”
