Unbeaten pacer getting ready

Exciting unbeaten pacer Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) is on the water walker at Brian Court’s, starting his preparation for the business end of the harness racing season.

Trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer, the giant pacer was bought and developed by Ryal Bush trainer Brett Gray who qualified the gelding as a two year old in April last year.

He was spelled before being given five workouts and a trial, and he made his race day debut for his new owners Stonewall Stud at Winton on Christmas Eve, winning easily by two lengths.

That was to be the beginning of a five race winning streak which concluded in April this year when he won the Group Three Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes at Ascot Park.

“After he came back home, we ran him through some scintigraphy. He just had a small chip on one of his joints which we cleaned up. He’d done his recovery and started the road back on the water walker for four to five weeks. He’s set to join us in the first week of August,” Steve Telfer said.

The main aim for Ohoka Connor will be the G1 New Zealand Derby at Addington on 10^th of December where he’s likely to face the likes of Merlin (Art Major), Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight), Triple G (Downbytheseaside) and Franco Sinatra (Captaintreacherous).

“For him it’s about giving him some exercise without putting any pressure on the joint, strengthening him up because he was quite a big lightly framed fella. It’ll put him into good physical condition heading into his new programme.”

This crop of three year olds looks exceptional and some exciting racing is set to take place prior to the end of the season

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink