Beach training could fix Thefixer at Methven
All eyes will be on defending New Zealand Cup winner Thefixer when he steps out for the first time this season in the Methven Cup today.
Hoof problems dogged the sixyear-old’s preparation for the country’s great race last season and made his win extra special.
And they have returned to add drama to his spring campaign again.
It has seen trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen preparing Thefixer for his cup defence at Regan Todd’s Woodend Beach.
That scenario, combined with two less than glorious trial efforts, have left harness fans scratching their heads wondering where exactly the pacer’s fitness levels are at. The race is set to provide some answers to those questions and decide whether his $7.50 fixed odds price for the New Zealand Cup is a fair reflection of his chances.
One factor that is in no doubt leading in to the 3000m feature is Thefixer’s class.
And Rasmussen, who will drive the horse, is not discounting how far that will carry him in the race.
‘‘Remember he is a cup winner and a great little racehorse,’’ she said.
‘‘He is seasoned enough to win it and I think the smaller field is a big factor in his favour,’’ she added.
However, the trainer-driver admitted the tough 3000m grass track could be a step too far for Thefixer ($3.20).
‘‘I am very happy with the way he is shaping, but to be honest if he goes a nice race and pulls up good it will be mission accomplished.’’
The All Stars stable’s three pronged attack on the Methven Cup includes Ashley Locaz ($2.90), who go in to the event with the benefit of one race start this spring.
Rasmussen said the five-yearold could be the hardest for Thefixer to hold out. Ashley Locaz and stablemate Chase Auckland get a 10m headstart on Thefixer from their 20m handicaps. There is little doubt about where Chase Auckland’s race conditioning is at, as the five-year-old goes into the race with three runs under his belt.
However, there are certainly questions about where the horse is at mentally.
Chase Auckland produced a mid-race gallop before impressing with a sizzling last 800m to run fourth behind Spankem in the Hannon Memorial.
His manners again let him down when he blew the start of the Canterbury Classic, before fading out of the race after doing a power of work to catch and circling the field.
Leading reinsman Blair Orange has stuck with up-andcomer Gran Chico ($6.50).