Teaz feeling the nerves ahead of Harness 5000

Northern trainer Jason Teaz admits he’s “as nervous as hell” in the lead up to Sunday’s Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 at Ashburton.

The Ohaupo-based horseman will line up Stone Cold in Race 6, the $60,000 A Team Construction Mobile Trot.

The Wishing Stone four-year-old is one of just a handful of northern horses who have made the trip south. Their scheduled Wednesday flight was cancelled though all horses arrived safely 24 hours later.

“I was a bit worried there for a bit,” says Teaz, “but it hasn’t impacted my horse.”

Teaz bought Stone Cold at the 2022 National Yearling Sale in Christchurch for $8000. So far he’s won four races and just over $50,000 in stakes.

But until now he’s never raced any further afield than Auckland.

Before the big race he’s being stabled at Colin and Julie DeFilippi’s place just outside Christchurch.

“He’s jumping around and can get a bit wound up,” says Teaz, “he’s a bit of a child.”

But the talent is clearly there.

After winning his last three starts at Alexandra Park Stone Cold is a $5.50 third favourite on Sunday behind the heavily-fancied Donna’s Boy and Bring On The Muscle.

Part of Teaz’s apprehension is that Stone Cold can be a bit unpredictable and he hopes the big occasion doesn’t get to him.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to watch the first 200 metres!”

“Donna’s Boy certainly has gate speed so he’ll probably get a head start.”

“I get nervous before any races but I’m as nervous as hell now,” he says.

In saying that the gelding does have one placing from two starts behind the mobile arm.

“If he’s at the top of his game they’ll know he’s in the race,” says Teaz, “I just want him to show people what we know he’s got.”

“Win or lose my fella will be going out for a two-three month spell after the race so this is his Grand Final.”

The 12-race Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 meeting starts at 11.55am with Stone Cold’s race at 2.10pm.

Harness 5000 is only open to trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception.

There will be $60,000 finals for 3YO, 4YO and 5YO and older Fillies and Mares and Colts, Geldings and Entires for both gaits. All are limited to a field size of 14 runners and will be mobiles over 1700 metres.

For complete race entries, click here.

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk