Allamericanlover delivers in Standardbred Breeders Stakes

Allamericanlover (American Ideal) delivered Stonewall Stud’s southern team Group 1 reward at the end of a big week with her gutsy harness racing win in the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Stakes at Addington last night.

Just as she did in the Group 2 Premier Mares Championship a fortnight ago, the six-year-old did more than her share of work in the running, leaving her rivals with few excuses as she went on to score her second career Group 1 victory.

Driver Tim Williams knew exactly what he had to work with as he pushed forward early before going around to sit parked with a lap to go, as Allamericanlover proved too powerful for her rivals.

“She didn’t have it easy, she did her share of work and she beat them,” co-trainer Amanda Telfer said.

The victory was co-trainer Steve Telfer’s 600th training success and is the second Group 1 win produced from Stonewall Stud’s new purpose built training facility in Canterbury.

The first came with Aardiebytheseaside in the New Zealand Oaks in December.

But Allamericanlover’s Group 1 is the first since the team has been “fully moved in” to their state of the art new stable.

“We have had all the racehorses here, but we still had 15 two-year-olds at Dancingonmoonlight,” Telfer said.

“We moved them over this week – it has been a big week and it has been a big effort to get everything done.”

“There have been some long days, but it has been a team effort.”

Where Allamericanlover heads to next will be decided in the coming days when Steve and Amanda Telfer sit down to discuss the mare’s immediate racing plans.

With New Zealand’s two big mares races on her CV, it seems the end of Allamericanlover’s racing career isn’t far away.

“She will have a few days off now.”

“Steve is coming down and we will sit down and talk about it.”

“She doesn’t have anything to prove.”

“She has raced the good horses right the way through, but she hasn’t been over-taxed.”

Williams said before the event Friday’s Group 1 feature would be a tactical battle and it proved to be the case.

His mare’s main rivals Manhattan and Lady Of The Light both pushed forward early, with a three-way fight for the lead playing out.

Williams then put his mare into the race at the bell before she went on to produce a first-over crush to win.

Williams didn’t have too much time to celebrate his Group 1 victory.

There was little rest for the reinsman, as he was on the road to Southland at 4am on Saturday morning with Stonewall Stud’s team for Wairio Cup Day.

For complete race results, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand