Old Town Road’s Cup hopes back on track

Old Town Road’s (Bettor’s Delight) tilt at the IRT New Zealand Cup is back on track after a slick private harness racing workout at Addington on Friday morning.

The Cup third favourite missed the Cup trial on Wednesday as trainer John Dickie battled to get him over a skin infection but he is confident that is now behind him.

“He actually got a dose of ringworm, which spread but we got on top of it,” says Dickie.

“That saw him miss one hoppled run so what I did was free leg him (no hopples) for some nice strong work on Monday.

“But we did want to risk the Cup trial so opted to take him to Addington to work this morning and he was really good.”

Old Town Road worked 2400m in 3:5, his last 800 in 58 seconds but sprinted up the straight (last 400m) in 26 seconds.

“He felt really strong and he needed that blow out because he was quite fresh.

“It hasn’t been the smoothest preparation but he is where he needs to be now and I think he has his chance if Zach (Butcher) can drive him for speed.”

Old Town Road is the $8 equal third favourite in a Cup market that has seen very little action so far, Akuta still at $2.2 with the TAB and Swayzee at $3.50.

Dickie also suggests his other Cup Day runner That’s What We Do will be better suited by Addington in Race 1 on Tuesday than Kaikoura last start.

“He didn’t handle the last bend at Kaikoura but he has worked well since.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand