Trans-Tasman look for top trotting stable

Michelle Wallis and Bernie Hackett will have an unusual trans-Tasman dimension to their harness racing team over the next few days.

They will have their first Kiwi starter in Sydney on Saturday night and an Aussie will debut for the stable at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.

All Cashed Up (Ready Cash) has joined their Waiuku base after winning nine races in Australia for owner-breeder Yabby Dam Farms. The now seven-year-old has only raced here once before, at the 2019 Harness Jewels at Addington.

“He had an injury over in Australia and they were having trouble with him left-handed and said he was working well right handed so they’ve sent him here for the right handed racing,” says co-trainer Michelle Wallis.

He will be one of five Wallis-Hackett starters in Race 4, the Lone Star Alexandra Park Trot along with Kiwitrix, Invictus, Kings Landing and impressive last start winner Springbank Mason. The field also includes the well-performed Con Crazia Love and That’s What We Do.

“Starting off 30 metres over 2200 can be tough,” says Wallis, “if he can step, settle and run home we’ll be pretty happy.”

Last Saturday he warmed up for Thursday’s race by winning a workout at Pukekohe, shading the outstanding three-year-old filly High Energy by a neck.

On Saturday night Melsadele has drawn one in the Group 1 $75,000 Schweppes New South Wales Trotters Oaks (2300m mobile) at Menangle.

It’s a first on a couple of counts.

“This is the first time we have taken one to Sydney,” says Wallis.

“The owners (Ken McGrath and Melanie Barker) have never had a horse in a Group 1 before either so it should be a good experience.”

The filly, who’s won one from nine in this country, will be driven by Luke McCarthy.

Melsadele goes to Australia in good form. She was a fast finishing second to the impressive Lovemeto at Alexandra Park on April 21.

“She’s been racing super without any luck.”

“We wouldn’t have sent her if she wasn’t capable.”

Also racing at Menangle will be the Barry Purdon – Scott Phelan trained Escape The Pace, after her second behind Springbank Mason at Alexandra Park last Friday.

An eight race winner she will front up in the $100,000 Group 1 Garrards Macarthur Trotters Mile for the four-year-old and older mares.

Included in the field are top class mares Queen Elida and Im Ready Jet.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Dave Di Somma, for Harness News Desk