Thursday 9th April 2015 – Riverina harness racing trainer Paul Kahledfeldt had a decision to make with multiple Gr.1 winner Lettucerockthem in the lead up to this weekend. The likable horseman had nominated the son of Art Major for the Carousel heats at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night and the S & C Club West Wyalong Pacers Cup on Sunday afternoon. After weighing up both options Kahlefeldt made the decision to chase Carnival Of Cups success at the big West Wyalong meeting.
"I had a couple of options with him at Menangle and I was very tempted to go that way but I just thought I might keep him a bit closer to home and race in the West Wyalong Cup," Kahlefeldt said.
"I've won a few of the country cups but I don't think I have won the West Wyalong Cup so it would be nice to pick it up this weekend."
Kahlefeldt is mindful the four year old has only had two runs back from a spell and wants Lettucerockthem to be peaking for the Pepper Tree Farms Breeders Challenge later in the season.
"He's had the two runs back this season and I've travelled him up to Sydney both times, I'm building him towards peak fitness and this weekend is another important step towards the Breeders Challenge."
"For the time being I will continue to train him, he has obviously been trained by Belinda McCarthy previously but he is racing well at the moment and he is running some fantastic times on my track at home."
Reinsman Matt Rue will be reunited with Lettucerockthem for the first time since the NSW Derby heats last season. Rue drove Lettucerockthem to victory in the Australian Pacing Gold for two year olds in 2013.
"Mat hasn't driven him a lot actually but he did win the APG on him and he is going to drive him for me this weekend."
Kahlefeldt will have three other runners at the West Wyalong meeting this weekend.
"Lettucedance (race 2) has promised the world and hasn't really delivered, she is a sister to Bamako Mail and Sheezallattitude and I think she's at her best when she is really keen in her races."
"My other two horses are in the last, Refused Service is going to win a race soon and that will mean Matthew Harrington should get his first winner as a driver while Major Kiwi has had a few issues but did win a race a few starts ago at Leeton."
While Kahlefeldt is busy with all of his business interests he will be forced to take a short break from training in the near future.
"We had 21 in work at one stage but we are back to a dozen, I ran my tenth Melbourne marathon last October and I broke down badly in my hip and after some scans the doctors have confirmed I need a hip replacement."
"All of the running I have done over the years has come back to bite me, they tell me I will only be out of action for a couple of months, hopefully I can fit in the operation sometime in the next six months but it is definitely going to slow me down for a while."
Greg Hayes