Every week David McCarthy of All Stars Racing Stables does a preview of the stables runners at that weeks harness racing meeting.
With their kind permission we reproduce this week's preview of their runners at the Easter Cup meeting on Saturday night.
Race 3 – C4-C6 1950m Pace
Meticulous (6) (Tim)
Form: Worked hard to lead then dictated last week. Early effort told.
Comment: "He is heading off to Australia soon but he can give a good account of himself here. He had to work last week and that told and there are one or two here who might have an edge on him but he is an each way hope. He's done a good job for us and I hope he goes out on a good note"
Race 4 – New Zealand 2yo Trotting Stakes
All Star Angus UR1 (Mark)
Form: Unqualified after making trial mistake but did well here in trial on Monday.
Comment: "I am not really wanting to pick between the three of them. This guy is a bold trotter. He messed up in a qualifier at Rangiora because we had been running him in block winkers and he started to charge the gate a bit. We have changed some gear and put him on the unruly. He lacks experience but should develop into a nice trotter"
Missandei (5) (Tim)
Form: Qualified nicely at Rangiora and again solid in Monday trial.
Comment: "She has proved reliable at the trials and that is a big thing in races like this. She's done nothing wrong and she can win "
High Gait (6) (Natalie)
Form: Just back from Auckland and unbeaten. Ran last half in 58 and change at Cambridge.
Comment: "Yes she is unbeaten and has proven reliable on raceday which is always the big factor in two year old trotting races. But in spite of the form I would not put her far in front of the other two if in front at all. These races are hard to assess and I don't want to pick one out. The run of the race will probably decide that"
Race 6 – SIRES STAKES HEAT
Arden's Choice (4) (Mark)
Form: Tangled when looking likely to place against the boys in the Welcome Stakes last week,.
Comment: "She had a gallop last week when looking as if she would get amongst the boys,. We have shortened up her gear to help cure that but she would rate No 2 for us here"
Northern Velocity (7) (Natalie)
Form: Slayed them in the Caduceus down south and looks the part.
Comment: "She is the pick of ours and has trained on nicely. I think she is the one to beat. She is our best for the night"
Sophisticated Lady (2) (Tim)
Form: Failed in off track last time. Been a little below the top ones.
Comment: "Look she is just a little behind the other two at the moment. Has a nice draw to get a run but I think the other two of ours will hold her"
Race 9 – EASTER CUP
Border Control (5)(Mark)
Form: Outstanding finish behind Christen Me in leadup and suits this trip.
Comment: "He hasn't been over the distance but I don't think that is going to be a problem the way he races. He is a tough horse and he is racing well. It is an interesting field and Ohoka Punter is probably the one to worry me the most. He is off the front and has had the racing now to match it with these and he's a good stayer too. He does seem to battle a bit for the first few strides when the pace suddenly sharpens. I thought perhaps he was half- pie bludging on me. But then he winds up real good like last week though Christen Me might have been easing off a bit as he does. Maybe a little query over Christen Me in a hard run 3200m and Terror To Love maybe not quite where he was. "
Smolda (1) 10m (Natalie)
Form: Won lesser event here last start. Looks near his best. Up to all of these then.
Comment: "He is such a good stayer I would be surprised if he doesn't make his mark. He didn't have a lot of racing before Auckland and he is better this way around of course. He has been aimed at this race and I am happy with where he is at. It might not pay to forget how good he is when he is right. He hasn't been 3200m either but that is not a worry for me"
Race 11 – C1 Mobile
The Manipulator (Natalie)
Form: Not raced since October but had a long buildup and be ready
Comment: "He hasn't raced in a long time but he has done the work and should be forward for this. We put him aside because he was light on and having a few issues but he was not unsound. He just needed time to strengthen. He should match a C1 field I think. He should be ready for that"
Courtesy of All Stars Racing Stable