NZ HARNESS NEWS
The classy Art Major colt hasn’t been rushed off the gate this term.
“That has been more to teach him more about being a racehorse,” Dunn said.
“But of the main chances, only Aloka has drawn inside him tomorrow, so I really have to go forward and find the front,” he said.
“He’s a great front-runner and has a high cruising speed.
“He can really buzz out but hopefully I won’t have to use him too much to get there.”
It’s ‘last chance saloon’ for one of last season’s top juveniles to qualify for the Gr. 1 Final at Addington on Tuesday week, November 14, after running sixth and fifth in two qualifying heats this spring.
Alta Maestro was found to have the early stages of a virus when he dropped out, after moving outside the leader, in the Cambridge heat on October 5.
After settling back on the markers from a wide gate in the Addington Heat on October 20, he ran on for fifth behind the ‘All Stars’ stable first four, headed home by the unbeaten Chase Auckland.
Running fast isn’t a problem to a fit Alta Maestro.
He won in a 1:53.3 rate over 1700m at Cambridge at two, and was a half-neck second to The Devils Own in the $195,000 NZ Yearling Sales 2YO Open Pace at Addington on May 12, when the winner rated a record 1:52.4 for the 1950m.
The good news is Alta Maestro has thrived in training at Woodend beach since his fifth in the Chase Auckland heat two weeks ago.
“Dad (Dexter’s father and the horse’s trainer Robert Dunn) says he’s the best he’s ever had him at this stage.
“Since his last run, he’s really happy with him,” said Dexter Dunn.
Alta Maestro appears the main stumbling block for the six-strong All Stars troop, headed by last season’s top juvenile Spankem.
Of the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained six, only Zion Bromac has drawn inside Alta Maestro, but his maiden win this spring was on the grass at Methven and he is having his first start at this level.
Spankem, a close third when resuming behind stablemates Chase Auckland and The Devils Own in the October 20 Sires Heat, will be even sharper for this.
But the Bettor’s Delight colt starts from the outside of the second row, following the withdrawal of The Dorchester with a cut tongue yesterday.
All U Need Is Faith, only half a length from Chase Auckland when fourth in the October 20 Heat, will be competitive again from six on the front row, drawn just outside stablemate Anthem, who resumed with a strong maiden win at Ashburton on October 23.
The other All Stars runners in the Sires Heat are Gentle Giant and Tennyson Bromac.
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