NZ HARNESS NEWS
NZ Cup hopefuls clash
A small but select field will chase an automatic start in the $800,000 NZ Cup when they clash in the $30,000 Maurice Holmes Vase (2600m stand) at Addington on Friday night.
The six nominations yesterday are headed by star triallist Captain Dolmio, who clocked a 56.3sec last 800m for driver John Dunn at the Rangiora trials last week, while comeback mare New Years Jay, who flashed home for second in the Kurow Cup nine days ago, is also nominated, along with classy stablemate Titan Banner, for Otago beach trainer Graeme Anderson.
The other nominations are four-win pacer Glenferrie Classic, Kurow Cup winner Bite The Bullet and Art Union, who has not raced due to injury since December, 2015.
The Cran Dalgety-trained Art Union (16 wins) won a trial at Rangiora last week, clocking 56.9 for his last 800m.
Wobelee lives up to name
Star Australian two-year-old trotter Wobelee made it 10 wins in a row for driver Chris Alford in their Breeders Crown final at Melton on Sunday, but Alford said the gelding was lucky to get around.
‘’He was probably on his worst behaviour, he wouldn’t even warm up. He kept getting to the (mobile) gate, jacking up and stopping in the middle of the track,’’ he told Australian Harness Racing.
‘’When he got to the first turn he just slammed the brakes on like he was going to pull up again. I think Anthony Butt’s horse (Smashthemcalder) may have run into the back of him for a few strides, thankfully he didn’t gallop.
‘’Then he sort of got his mind on the job. I had to keep yelling at him just to keep him thinking. I didn’t want to be out in front by myself, I had to yell at him to keep him concentrating.
‘’He’ll have a nice rest now and hopefully come back better next year.’’
Alford’s wife Alison trains the Down Under Muscles gelding, who is out of NZ-bred Sundon mare Tupenny Bit.
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