By Matt Markham
Greg Hope has a warning for anyone who thinks Mossdale Conner’s bold third in last week’s Ashburton Flying Stakes was nothing more than a fluke.
And if everything falls into place, the Woodend Beach horseman is more than hopeful that his star pacer might be able to show why when he steps out onto the South Bay Racecourse today for the Group III Alabar Kaikoura Cup.
The speedy pacer was excellent a week ago in the Ashburton feature after working hard to hold the lead early before yielding to Tiger Tara with a lap left to run.
He then fought hard up the lane to edge out the same horse in the run to the line to finish not far off Smolda and Ohoka Punter who filled the first two placings respectively.
“I thought the run was great,’’ Hope, who trains with his wife Nina, said.
“We’ve been waiting for him to be able to do that because he hasn’t had all the luck in the world in this campaign.
“But he’s been running great races, so we weren’t surprised.”
A Taylor Mile winner last season, the five-year-old has returned in fine fettle this season and has worked his way into contention as one of few horses outside of the leading contenders who looks capable of causing an upset in the Cup.
“He’s absolutely jumping out of his skin at the moment.
“The racing at this level is taking absolutely nothing out of him and he’s jumping around at home like a two-year-old.
“I’m expecting a very good run again this week.’’
In favour of Mossdale Conner is his impeccable stand start manners and faultless way of covering the ground which should see him a serious contender in today’s $50,000 event,
Driver Ricky May had no hesitation in looking to hold the lead early last week so it’s hard to imagine him trying anything different today although the presence of both Messini and Arden Rooney might make him think twice about not handing up should the opportunity arise.
“He should be able to jump right onto the pace like he did last week and he will roll around those bends really well because he’s such a good pacer.’’
The Cup will hold plenty of importance for all of its contenders but for some it’s a case of step up today or don’t come next Tuesday. The final hit out, other than the Cup Trial, before the Cup, horses like Belkmyster, Brilliant Strike and Te Kawau who are just outside the magical mark of 15.
Top four performances should see them advance into contention but anything further back might see them fall of the pace.
The return to New Zealand of Arden Rooney is the other major talking point of the event with Kerryn Manning expected to allow her star pacer to roll once he finds his feet.
Messini, who hasn’t been sighted since his Methven Cup win is the other notable contender with reports out of the All Stars camp this week that the rising star is ready to run a big race and confirm his position in the field.
The Hope combination will also be hoping for strong showings from both Quite A Moment and Harrysul in the feature trot.
Harrysul needs a strong performance to increase his chances of making the Dominion Handicap while Quite A Moment is trucking along nicely.
“She (Quite A Moment) is going great. When we brought her back from Australia we didn’t really know what to expect.
“But she’s just thrived being back out at the beach and is the ultimate little professional.
“She should love Kaikoura because she has been running around on those small Australian tracks for a few years now.
“Harrysul is going fantastic. He’s probably still 12 months away but I think he deserves a spot in the Dominion.’’
The Woodend Beach pair also look to have a strong chance with New York Town and Katsgotstyle earlier in the day.
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