Connections of talented pacer Alleluia have tucked away his passport….for now.
The New Zealand bred gelding was being readied for a trip back to his homeland where he would contest the Gr.1 $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 10 but those plans have now been shelved.
Alleluia has pulled up a little jaded after contesting the recent spring carnival at Albion Park.
Last Saturday night, the five-year-old finished 7th behind Our Hi Jinx in the $200,000 Queensland Pacing Championship in track record time.
“We won’t be making the trip to New Zealand after all because he hasn’t recovered as well as hoped, let’s be honest, the past three weeks has been brutal with unbelievable times recorded and two new track records set in those races. We’ll be running precautionary tests and scans on him this week.” Owner Greg Mitchell said.
Both Alleluia and his stablemate, the state’s best trotter Our Overanova, were set to head to Christchurch next week in preparation for Cup week features but both will remain on home soil.
Our Overanova was scheduled to start in both the $80,000 NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Cup day before backing up three days later in the $250,000 Dominion Handicap.
“Neither horse will make the trip because it was always a situation of both will go or neither will go and unfortunately, both will remain in Brisbane for the time being. It’s disappointing because we were really looking forward to being part of New Zealand Cup week, we had accommodation booked and both horses were set to stay with Cran Dalgety but it won’t happen now.
“Let’s just hope there is no serious issue with Youi (Alleluia) and we can look at other features this season, because there are still plenty of great races on both sides of the Tasman coming up over the coming months.
“The trotter has proven he can match it with the best trotters around after a successful southern stint earlier this year when based with Luke and Belinda McCarthy. I’m keen to see him back in Victoria with all the good trotting events coming up during the summer months; he’s definitely stronger and better for the experience so it’s another good challenge for him.”
Our Overanova will start at short odds this Saturday night at Albion Park when he lines up in the SKY Racing Trot under mobile conditions.
The Monarchy gelding has drawn gate six in the 2138m event.
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