By Michael Guerin
Hot favourite True Fantasy is still being aimed at next week’s Northern Oaks even though she will miss the final lead-up at Alexandra Park this Friday.
The outstanding filly was beaten out of a place for the first time in her career when fourth in the Peter Breckon Memorial at Alexandra Park last start and has been overcoming a slight respiratory issues since, possibly caused by the extreme dust and heat in the north.
Co-trainer Mark Purdon has had her treated and the stable wanted to wait an extra week before racing her so she will miss the Oaks Prelude this Friday, a race which sees Remember Me returning from Sydney.
“She is still on track for the Oaks and we think we will get her there at this stage,” says Purdon.
She isn’t the only shock omission from Friday night’s huge meeting, which is an enticing build-up to the even bigger Derby and Oaks meeting the following Friday.
Spankem not racing Friday
Spankem will not take his place in The Founders, having suffered from similar issues as True Fantasy.
Purdon expects to have him back on track the following Friday as well and still ready to earn a slot in The Race at Cambridge on April 14.
New trainers for Magic Four
One of the biggest upsetters of the harness racing season will have new trainers heading into the Derby with Magic Four joining the Robert and Jenna Dunn team.
Magic Four stunned the harness racing industry when he downed the All Stars big names in the Harness Million on February 12.
That was the biggest win in the joint training career of Steven Reid and Simon McMullan but the three-year-old has now left their care and joined the Dunn stable.
“He has settled in well here and is a nice horse,” said Dunn.
“He has the ace draw this week but after having a hard run last time we will be looking to drive him with a sit.”
Bob Butt will take the reins on Magic Four, with stable driver John Dunn staying in the south to partner Sundees Son at Addington where he tries to pass the $1million in career stakes mark.
With the final two Young Guns lead-up races this Friday before the finals on Friday week Alexandra Park has drawn a rare 11-race card, highlighted by another clash between South Coast Arden and Self Assured in the free-for-all pace.
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