Alli to land a knockout blow

American Alli has drawn ideally and has the traits to cause a stir in Friday evening’s Cobbitty Equine Farm Maryborough Pacing Cup Final.

The Gary Murnane-trained 10-year-old has had a great start to 2025 winning on January 3 before finishing fifth in the harness racing heat last Friday.

“We were a bit unlucky in the heat, We have actually got gate speed and and we got headed and went three back the fence,” Murnane said.

“If we could have got out and hold a better spot – we could have been a lot closer.”

The winner of nine races from 73 starts began his racing career under Emma Stewart back in 2017.

“He had a lot of injuries and then I got my trainers licence so I continued with him and got him back,” he said.

“He had a lot of little niggling issues, but he is fairly sound now – so when he won two weeks ago at Maryborough, he ran his fastest time.

“We know the horse can run, he had really bad feet when he was at Emma’s and he had heel cracks and when you have sore feet you don’t run to your best.”

The gelding has drawn two for the $10,000 event with Ryan Duffy set to drive.

“I actually like drawing two better than the one and you are in the running line,” he said.

“if you get crossed you are still in the running line, while if you are in the one and you get crossed you could end up three back the pegs.

“He is a horse that doesn’t like following and can get a bit keen and if he is jammed up. He is a lot better with fresh air in front of him.”

The winner of the heat, the Luke Tabone-trained My Way will start from six while likely favourite the Emma-Stewart-prepared Le Twist will start from 10.

The Cobbitty Equine Farm Maryborough Pacing Cup Final is set to go at 5.17pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria