By Michael Guerin
Speeding Spur is one race away from a shock defence of his Great Southern Star title.
The exceptional trotter only has to please trainers John and Josh Dickie when he races at Alexandra Park next Thursday to book himself another ticket to Melton.
Speeding Spur hasn’t raced since finishing second to Monbet in the Anzac Cup last April, a slight leg injury afterwards being handled with great patience by his connections.
Originally they indicated they would bypass the summer riches and head to the autumn feature but he has come up so well the Great Southern Star is back on the agenda.
He won the final of the race last season when it was run under the heat and final on the same night format over the 1720m but this season it changes to a 2710m mobile one-off race at Melton on February 4.
With Monbet sidelined, Master Lavros not going and Stent still fighting his way back, Speeding Spur rates alongside Keystone Del as the best trotter actually racing in Australasia.
“He has been in work a long time and done a lot of ground work,” says driver Josh Dickie.
“So Dad decided a few weeks ago this race was possible. And it is getting more likely by the day.” Speeding Spur made his first public appearance since his injury last season when he won well, albeit against moderate opposition, at the Pukekohe workouts on Wednesday.
His once troublesome leg was scanned as a precaution yesterday with no sign of any problems.
“If you didn’t know he had had a small issue you wouldn’t give it a second thought.
“But it is all looking good at the moment and he will race at Alexandra Park next Thursday and if we are happy with him there and after the race he will head across.: Still only a five-year-old will a stallion career ahead of him, Speeding Spur’s return would be a welcome addition to an open class trotting scene struggling for star power since Monbet was sidelined after Cup week.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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