Taxman ready to take toll on grass-track debut
The green grass and wide open spaces of Motukarara raceway should prove a relaxing spot for Taxman, who is among a exciting line up in today’s feature pace at the picturesque track.
The former All Stars-trained pacer is one of an interesting capacity field contesting the Motukarara Christmas Cup.
Taxman will have his first start for Canterbury beach trainer Regan Todd when Samantha Ottley drives him in the 2810m feature.
The four-year-old has looked like more of a hard running sprinter made for all weather tracks than a grass-track stayer, when spearing to the lead in all of his three career wins.
Todd is hopeful punters will get to see a more relaxed and tractable version of Taxman after he took him to a grass-track workout.
‘‘I took him to the Methven workouts last weekend just to see how he would handle the grass and he took it all in his stride.
‘‘He seems a lovely wee horse. I think he followed the gate out a few times when he was probably the best horse in a lot of his races.
‘‘But, going back to the stand will probably do him the world of good, because he will be able to settle in behind.’’
Taxman produced a huge run for second behind Tango Tara on New Zealand Cup day from deep on the markers after making an early mistake.
‘‘He has had a few hard runs and it would be good to see him come from off the speed a bit,’’
Todd said. Taxman clashes with fellow cup carnival performers Scorcha and Sweet Mary.
Scorcha is back in the South Island after clashing with star mare Belle Of Montana in the Group 1 Queen Of Hearts at Alexandra Park earlier this month.
Smart types Memphis
Tennessee, Yorkshire and Eureka also add depth.
TWO progressive pacers give Ohaupo trainers Jason and Megan Teaz the chance to snare two late Christmas presents at Cambridge today.
The trainers will attempt to break a run of placings when Brookies Jaffa starts in race two and Hawthornden Hunk debuts in race four.
Brookies
Jaffa has been handed a Christmas present of sorts when he attempts to clinch a deserved maiden win over 2200m.
The Auckland Reactor fouryear-old will start from inside barrier six for the first time in his career when lining up behind the mobile from the two gate.
That alley could mean the pacer does not have to do the kind of extra work that has seen him produce gritty top-four placings in his past three starts.
‘‘He is a horse that can do it tough, so I wasn’t worried where he drew – but obviously getting a good one for a change is quite nice,’’ Jason Teaz said.
Hawthornden Hunk has his first start in maiden company over 2200m.
The Betterthancheddar fouryear-old impressed when qualifying at Cambridge in September.
‘‘. . . it would be good to see him [Taxman] come from off the speed a bit.’’ Trainer Regan Todd