Alta Wiseguy impressive at trials

A slimmed-down Alta Wiseguy (Mach Three) showed he is ready for the races when beating some of pacing big guns at the Rangiora harness racing trials on Wednesday (Aug 31).

And that was enough to convince co-trainer Steve Telfer the speedster can head to the Avon City Ford Cup at Addington next week.

Alta Wiseguy led throughout in the 2600m standing start trial, holding out Akuta (Bettor’s Delight) who pleased trainer Mark Purdon with both his manners and untaxed performance.

So too did third-placed Franco Indie (Always B Miki) while Krug (Bettor’s Delight) was also never asked for his best in fourth after starting off a 20m handicap.

Alta Wiseguy covered the 2600m in 3:21.1, the last 800m in 55.7 and 400m in 28.1 in something far more like your usual early-campaign trial than the sizzling 3:13 the same type of horses produced two weeks ago.

ALTA WISEGUY TRIAL REPLAY

Telfer says the trial showed Alta Wiseguy has improved after arriving in the south a little bigger in condition than he would have liked.

“He got away on us a fraction over the winter and did better than we would have liked which is why he isn’t racing this week,” says Telfer.

“But that should clean him up nicely and he will be ready to go next week now at Addington.”

Telfer will nominate both Alta Wiseguy and B D Joe (Roll With Joe), who returns off a 30m handicap at Addington this Friday, for the IRT New Zealand Cup on November 8.

“They are both on the Cup path for sure,” said Telfer.

“B D Joe is a little more forward so he will kick off this week where I think being off the 30m back mark will help him get some confidence back in the standing start and then he will likely line up next week too.

“But he is well and will be very hard to beat.”

Akuta and Krug won’t head to Addington though, with both likely to start fresh up into the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru on September 18.

There was nothing to dislike about their trials, with Akuta most importantly handling the standing start.

While the pacers were in cruise control for much of their heat the other open class star of the show Muscle Mountain (Muscle Hill) looked all business in the trot.

He started off 40m behind and bolted clear by three lengths, albeit against moderate opposition, and trotted 3:30.8 for the 2600m but his last 400m in 28.2 was almost the same as the pacers.

Others to catch the eye on Wednesday were Dunn-trained juvenile trotter Kiss And Run (What The Hill), the All Stars qualifier Carrera Rapido (Art Major) and the yet un-raced Sherlock (Vincent), who won’t be a maiden for long.

For complete trial results, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand