Son of Sportswriter seals his spot in the NZ Cup

Up and coming pacer Heza Sport (Sportswriter) has booked his spot in this years New Zealand Trotting Cup with an impressive  harness racing victory in tonight’s (Aug. 26) Group 3 Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington.

At only his 16th start the speedy four year old defeated a strong field by a head with a stunned trainer/driver Colin DeFilippi in the sulky.

“I am a wee bit surprised after his run at the trials, I thought it might have taken the edge off him,” DeFilippi told Nigel Armstrong from Harness Racing Unhinged after the race.

Heza Sport bobbled away from the stand but was carted closer and closer to the front after a number of lead changes during the running of the race. In the straight DeFilippi launched up the middle of the track and held out a game The Falcon by a narrow margin.

“Real pleased with him. He ended up getting a good trip after being slow away, but he felt good in the running,” DeFilippi said.

HEZA SPORT REPLAY

By winning tonight’s race Heza Sport is guaranteed a start in this years New Zealand Trotting Cup, although the connections say it is not a certainty that he will start in the race.

“It will all depend on his last two runs leading up to the Cup,” DeFilippi said.

“At least you know you are going to get a start so it is a help and you don’t have to be chasing the form,” he said.

Heza Sport ran the 2600m stand in 3-12.7 with a final 800m in 57.5 seconds.

For complete race results, click here.

by Harnesslink Media