Old Town Road’s campaign delayed

Old Town Road’s (Bettors Delight) IRT New Zealand Cup harness racing campaign has been delayed.

The six year old was nominated for Thursday’s Lamb and Haywood Canterbury Classic but the nomination was withdrawn after trainer Bob Butt had to have the gelding’s joints injected, as this requires the horse to sit out a withholding period.

Old Town Road which last started in the Auckland Cup in May, was moved from John Dickie’s stable in Clevedon to Butt’s Woodend Beach stable earlier this year in an attempt to get him ready to November’s pacing feature.

He currently sits on the cusp of getting into the Cup and Butt says a 2600 metre Handicap for R70 and faster horses is the likely starting point for Old Town Road who carries an R91 rating.

Meanwhile the stable will start two of it’s brighter stars off on new campaigns on Thursday.

Reklaws Dream (Bettor’s Delight) will have her first start since the end of June in the IRT. Your Horse. Our Passion. Mobile Pace.

“She trialled good the other day and is getting ready for the fillies heats (Nevele R Fillies Series). She’s a nice filly and still untapped. Hopefully she can get a nice run on the outside. I think she’ll step up to that grade (Nevele R) but you never know until you race them,” Butt said.

Later in the night Princess Meritaten (A Rocknroll Dance) will recommence her promising career in the Woodlands Stud Second Mares’ Spring Sprint.

“She’s come up really good. She’s a nice mare with a lot of ability but with a tough draw to contend with first up. It’s a good field and all of them have had racing under their belt. She will improve a lot with the race.”

Princess Meritaten has started just eight times for four wins and three seconds. She hasn’t raced since April, but beforehand has beaten nice types in Amore Infida, Kahlua Flybye and Mr Kaplan.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink