Sport Charlie looks fired up for Cup week

Taking in trials can be a sound way of getting your next winner or value runner.

In Harnesslink Trial Time we look through those that have impressed at recent trials and should be on your radar when they appear in race day fields.

The Addington trials on Wednesday the 3rd of November provided plenty of horses  to follow as we head into the New Zealand Cup carnival. Just some of those to impress were…

Lochart Shard (Bettor’s Delight – Lady Gaga) This horse found the line well at Ashburton behind stablemate Franco Indie and looks to be peaking at the right time. A leading effort in the 6^th heat of the day saw the 2yr-old run down late by the smart Monaco Grace although he did appear to be fighting back nicely at the line. The dam has always left a nice horse with Nicol Shard (Somebeachsomewhere) now a 1.50.2 pacer in the USA and Major Shard (Art Major) having enjoyed a successful Australian racing career. While looking a touch green at times Lochart Shard appears to be a good follower of speed and could surprise given a little luck over the Cup carnival.

Dance Time (Rock N Roll Heaven – Time To Fly) A horse with high gate-speed and a sound track record at Addington, Dance Time impressed in the  8^th heat of the day when leading throughout and winning with some ease over the Regan Todd trained Bettor Talk Art. Dance Time comes into the NZ Cup carnival having placed 6^th in the Holmes DG Handicap Pace in behind Major Jellis. The dynamic speed factor gets a tick when talking about Dance Time and connections will be hoping he gets the opportunity to display his best qualities over the next few days.

Sporty Charlie (Sportswriter – Flashonbye) Just how good is Sporty Charlie? We look set to find that out. The winner of two raceday starts from two raceday appearances Sporty Charlie impressed in the 11^th heat of the day which was won by the Anderson / Love trained Cantfindabettorman in a time of 2.26 over the 1980m mobile trip. The Brad Morris trained runner looks capable of doing things the tough way after an impressive late effort to score in the Nugget Final at Invercargill after sitting out facing the breeze for much of the race and calling on reserves to master Over The Odds late. That win following on from a maiden victory over Unsurpassable at a Gore meeting in late September. Sporty Charlie is a horse that arrives at Addington in fine form.

All American Lover (American Ideal – Goodlookingbabe) If you’re looking to find a lover during Cup week then this one could be the one for you! The daughter of American Ideal looks to be in fine form and once again showed her versatility when winning the last heat of the day over a 2600m stand trip (she’s also won over the 2700m mobile and 1980m distances) The filly beating out the impressive Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen trained It’s All About Faith who made his way around the field to sit in the parked position over the final 500m.

A look into the career of All American Lover reveals just one top-3 miss from seven starts with that coming in the rich Group 1 Nevele R Fillies Series when 10^th behind Bettor Twist. All American Lover comes into the NZ Cup carnival with a recent win over Got You Covered and Get Up N Dance.

The Telfer stable will have a strong hand to play over the next week of feature racing and All American Lover certainly looks one of their leading ladies.

Class filly, well bred, strong race record, recent win = red-hot lover.

Ben McMillan