By Michael Guerin
Taking on the titans of harness racing will fulfill two roles for No Doctor Needed at Ashburton on Monday.
The northern pacer was a surprise late entry for the Flying Stakes on Monday, being one of only two non-All Stars horses in one of the great lead-ups to the New Zealand Cup.
Trainer Steve Telfer says the big horse needs more outings before the Cup so he is happy not to shy away from the might of Lazarus and Heaven Rocks.
“He is a big gross type of a horse and I think he needs more racing to sharpen him up, even though we are happy with how he has been going,” says Telfer.
“So he can take them on on Monday and that will tighten him up for the Kaikoura Cup a week later, which is one of his main aims, as well as the Cup carnival.”
And Telfer says while he is not expecting to beat Lazarus and co, Monday’s 2400m stand will give them a good idea of how he compares with them.
“He has good manners from a stand and is fit so we will take our chance. He has been kicking and bucking since he arrived down there on Wednesday so we are happy with where he is at.”
No Doctor Needed was accompanied south by Better B Amazed and she will trial at Rangiora next Wednesday with a view to joining her stablemate in the Kaikoura Cup.
But there is no inclination to pay a late entry fee for her for the New Zealand Cup.
That pair heading south could force a change of plans for the likes of Jack’s Legend as the chances of getting another open class pace in the north off the ground before the New Zealand Cup diminishes without Telfer’s duo looks remote.
Lower grade pacer Carlaw Park rounds out Telfer’s southern team but he hopes to add American Brave should he qualify for the Sires’ Stakes final in his heat at Alexandra Park next week.
Meanwhile, Telfer takes two reps to Cambridge tonight and expects improvement from Ideal Roman in race seven.
He was well backed before wobbling his way to sixth fresh up at Alexandra Park last Friday.
“He was always going to need to need that run and David (Butcher) said he was going well at the turn but just blew out and then had a weird little wobble.
“But I think he will be fitter tonight.” Ideal Roman paced a sub 2:38.7 stunner for 2200m at Cambridge when winning there in January so his best form would go very close to winning tonight.
“And we have Happy Magic in the amateur race (race one) but I think he is best with a good draw because like a lot of horses he needs to settle handy. But the small field will help.”
Madam Spur in race six looks one of the better bets tonight after she made up huge ground for fifth after galloping in her comeback race at Alexandra Park last week and meets easier opposition tonight.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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