Champing at the bit for The Race

Punters will get a mini preview of the Australian contenders for New Zealand’s richest harness race when they head for Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight.

Alta Orlando and Stylish Memphis both begin their preparations for The Race, a $900,000 invite-only event at Cambridge on New Zealand’s North Island on April 14.

Two of Australia’s leading young reinsmen Jack Callaghan (Alta Orlando) and Jack Trainor (Stylish Memphis) are champing at the bit to get to New Zealand for this inaugural event and will be keen to begin that journey with success in tonight’s $30,600 Joe and Michael Ilsley Free-For-All (2300m).

A host of locals hope to spoil their party and at the top of that list is another former Kiwi pacer Mach Shard, who now shares Belinda McCarthy’s stables alongside Alta Orlando and will have the services of champion reinsman Luke McCarthy.

The former Barry Purdon-trained pacer has been taken along slowly this preparation by McCarthy and last start was an unlucky seventh on that famous Miracle Mile ‘wash-out’ meeting when seventh behind Zeuss Bromac.

With wins at four of her past five starts, Stylish Memphis has been installed as pre-post favourite for tonight’s race, in what will be her only lead-up race to the New Zealand event.

“I was going to run her last week at Menangle but just felt she could do with another strong training run before racing, so waited an extra week,” said trainer-driver Jack Trainor said.

“She seems really well.

“It’s a strong race tonight and she’s drawn out in gate eight, but I’m sure she’ll run well.

“There’s some good opposition there. Majestic Cruiser is flying and was unlucky not to finish closer in the Miracle Mile last time.

“And old Alta Orlando has come back well, too.”

Trainor can’t wait to get back to see friends and family in New Zealand, where his harness racing career began before making a successful move to Australia where he worked for Blake Fitzpatrick before branching out on his own.

“I’m going to fly across next Sunday, at the same time as her, and have that week with her getting ready for The Race,” Trainor said.

“It’ll be great to go back over there, especially with a mare like her.

“I was disappointed when I heard Spellbound had also been invited because I was hoping we might be the only mare in it meaning we would definitely draw the pole.”

To view fields for Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By Michael Court for HRNSW