Meteor strikes Addington

Alta Meteor (Art Major) presented himself as a serious open class pacer when he beat a very good field in the $40,000 Group Three ‘Fahey Fence Hire’ Autumn Free For All at harness racing’s HQ Addington, today.

Driven by Jonny Cox from barrier six, Alta Meteor sat three back on the outside as Beach Ball and Ricky May made all the play. As the field rolled past the 600 the action began to heat up and when stablemate Ohoka Connor started to make his run, Cox pulled Alta Meteor out in front of him. Turning in, Alta Meteor was four wide and five lengths from Beach Ball but the four year old kept coming and got up and win his first Group race for owners Stonewall Stud.

“We got a good run today and we managed to be in front of Ohoka Connor and outsprint him. He’s a tough horse to get past Beach Ball, but I had faith in my fella. His track work has been super, he’s got a great turn of foot and showed that today,” Cox told Trackside.

In a tight finish Alta Meteor’s winning margin was half a length from Franco Merek with a head back to Beach Ball and Ohoka Connor a nose back in fourth.

The winning time was 2-22.1 with the last 800 metres cut out in 55.6 and the 400 in 27 seconds. Amazing Dream holds the race record of 2-20.3.

The win was a great training feat by the southern arm of Stonewall Stud led by Amanda Telfer, as Alta Meteor hasn’t raced for four weeks.

“I thought he might be a run short because it’s been a few weeks between runs but obviously he doesn’t mind going fresh. He had a good trial ten days ago. You’re never confident in Group races but I thought he’d give us a good show.”

The win was Alta Meteor’s ninth and biggest in his twenty seven start career. He ran third in the G1 2022 Woodlands Stud Sires’ Stake Final at Addington won by Don’t Stop Dreaming.

The win capped off a good day for the NZ Trainers Premiership leaders Steve and Amanda Telfer. They geared up Cocktails And Caviar (Bettor’s Delight) to impressively win on debut today. He was taken to the lead early by driver Tim Williams and despite being a slightly awkward drive at times he easily won by two and three quarter lengths.

“He’s got a unique running style but it works for him, so we’ll forgive him for it. He’s quite a nice horse in the making and I don’t think leading is his natural go either,” Williams told Harness Racing Unhinged.

The three year old gelding was one of the four top lots at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Auckland Sale which were all purchased by Stonewall Stud. He was bought for $140,000.

The win by Cocktails And Caviar was one of three winners for the Stonewall Stud colours with Lewey Maguire (Sweet Lou) winning the Hydroflow Mobile Pace.

For complete Addington Raceway results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink