By Matt Markham
Ricky May knows too well that there’s one heck of a mountain in front of him tonight at Addington, but he’s not giving up.
The most successful New Zealand Trotting Cup driver of all time, May will partner up with Mossdale Conner in tonight’s Avon City Ford New Brighton Cup and be out to try and upset the apple cart in what is a stand out looking line up.
Good enough to run third in the Cup last year, Mossdale Conner will tonight come up against the power of Lazarus, Have Faith In Me, Smolda, Christen Me, Franco Nelson and Tiger Tara in what is a standout field for the key lead up race.
“It’s not going to be easy,” May said bluntly.
“This is pretty much the majority of the Cup field we are racing this week so we’re going to know if we can sink or swim pretty quick.”
On face value the noted stand start flyer was pretty disappointing in the Hannon Memorial when only fifth behind Franco Nelson but May attributed a bit of the blame to himself and also pointed toward a rather strong mid-race check he received when Franco Ledger broke down.
“I don’t think have to check him helped too much, but I was still pretty disappointed with the effort.
“Greg was pretty happy though. I didn’t realise he was going to the Hannon and I’d probably been a bit too light on him at the workouts and trials so I’m thinking he will strip a better horse this week.
“But he’s going to have to be better.”
Utilising his brilliant stand start manners, Mossdale Conner’s best chances appear to be getting across to the markers and handing up to the right horse.
That challenge is made a little harder by the fact that Franco Nelson, who can also fly the tapes, has drawn inside him.
“It will be a race to the markers, and that could be pretty critical to our chances.”
Both May and Mossdale Conner’s trainers, Greg and Nina Hope, have made flying starts to the season.
May has driven 10 winners to sit third behind Blair Orange and Dexter Dunn on the premiership while the Hope stable has 12 wins next to their name and are five wins clear on the training side of things.
Both stats could be improved tonight with some decent chances across the board.
Ranfurly Rulz is in a rich vein of form which will see him competitive again while May is quietly confident of a good run from Harrysul in the feature trot.
“He was going to run second last time, I’ve got no doubt about it,” May said.
The Methven horseman is also looking forward to getting back behind three-year-old pacer Mongolian Storm, who tackles the first Sires’ Stakes heat of the season in the South Island.
A trial winner last week at Rangiora, the Paul Court trained pacer looks to have filled out from his two-year-old days and could be in for a decent season on the track.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Cullenmore, Franco Hampton, Delishka, Mr Sharkey
Race 2: Hey Yo, The Silver Fox, Donsmedad, Brads Kenny
Race 3: You Gotta Have Faith, Mongolian Storm, Bettor Be Gold, Tiger Thompson
Race 4: Brilliant Strike, Idealindiamonds, Alpha Rock, Dalness Xchange
Race 5: Sunny Ruby, Harrysul, Daryl Boko, Jag’s Invasion
Race 6: Willedu, Reeal Clovelly, Jay Jayz Boy, Ellmers Image
Race 7: Lazarus, Have Faith In Me, Smolda, Christen Me
Race 8: Ranfurly Rulz, Dreamy Damien, Sails, Shards Halo
Race 9: Kingdom Come, Jean Sebastien, Solar Storm, Forgot To Remember
Race 10: Ultimate Fella, Gunpowder, Eja Patron, Living Legend
Best Bet: Ranfurly Rulz (Race 8)
Value: Willedu (Race 6)
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
