Ready for flag drop – Grand Prix Day

Grand Prix Day has arrived, the starting positions have been allocated, and Team Telfer is ready to race. Harnesslink’s Bruce Stewart talked to Steve Telfer about the team’s harness racing runners and their chances for Sunday’s big day.

R3-Avon City Ford Group One $100,000 Ace of Diamonds Two Year Old Pacing Fillies 1980 metre mobile

#3 Secret Delight (Bettor’s Delight) 

“Her form’s been away from the better fillies and she needed the one draw. She’s an honest filly who will run a good race from there.” 

#4 Aardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside)

“She’s a filly that’s got better as the season’s gone on. She’s quite a big filly and is growing into that frame. She’s got a bit of gate speed, and she can do a bit of work in her races. From barrier four I’d expect her to be put into the race.”

#5 Forever Me (Sweet Lou)

“Really pleased with her last run. We just lost her through the middle part of this preparation. She may have had a couple of hard runs and we’ve had to freshen her up and pick her back up. I think last week was a true indication of her ability, I was happy with the way she hit the line and (she) should be even better this week.”  

#6 Kahlua Flybye (Bettor’s Delight) 

“Her record says she’s been our best filly. The thing about her is her adaptability. She’s trained on well and had a nice quiet trial last Wednesday to keep her up to the mark. The team down south are thrilled with her, and I think she’ll run another bold race.” 

New Zealand Record – Millwood Nike 2-21.2 (11/11/2022)

R5-The Crossing Group One $100,000 Ace of Spades Two Year Old Pacing Colts and Geldings 1980 metre mobile

#7 Alta Meteor (Art Major)

“He is a horse that can do a bit of work and he’ll need to from that barrier in that field. He’s been right up there with those good horses. Tim (Williams) will have to pick the right time to put him in the race. The way he trialled the other week I’m sure he’s ready to run another bold race.” 

New Zealand Record – Mister Smartee 2-19.2 (08/11/2022)

R9-IRT Group One $175,000 New Zealand Pacing Oaks 2600 metre mobile

#13 Obsession (Captaintreacherous)

“Went well in the Sires Final but last week she was very ordinary in the wet conditions. She’s training well and seems very bright. She’s a filly that you can only drive one way, and that’s to save her up for one run.” 

New Zealand Record – Princess Tiffany 3-08.2 (17/05/2019)

R10-Group Three $30,000 East West Fencing Summer Cup 1980 metre mobile

#6 B D Joe (Roll With Joe)

“He was a bit unlucky in the Free for All. He had four or five days off after that, freshened up and he was keen to return to work. His work’s been very good since he’s come back. I think he’ll improve with the run and like a lot of them they’ve had a lot of hard racing. The horse is very adaptable and whatever Tim decides to do I’ve got the confidence the horse can do it.”

Steve’s best for the day: R3 Kahlua Flybye

Longer odds: R3 Forever Me

For complete Grand Prix Day fields, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink