Stonewall team head south ahead of Inv Cup Day

Jonny Turner Harness Racing Journalist

The Canterbury raid is on ahead of Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day.

As they have done ahead of several of Southland’s best meetings in the past, Stonewall Stud’s Canterbury team are in the south to compete in the final southern lead-up meeting before Invercargill’s big day.

Trainer Amanda Telfer is in Southland with three talented fillies who will boost their Invercargill Cup Day hopes with victories at Winton on Thursday.

As a race winner, Spicey Crunch looks handily placed against a field largely made up of maiden two-year-olds.

The only factor against the pacer looks to be her barrier 8 draw.

“She has been trialling up well, in her first trial she led and won quite nicely,” Telfer said.

“In her last trial she went back and ran on nice, she was beaten by Lakelsa who is a nice enough mare.”

“Being a two-year-old filly, her wee freshen up seems to have done her the world of good and she seems to be back to where we think she should be.”

Melody Banner is arguably the best-placed horse racing at Winton on Thursday.

The filly drops back from taking on top-line fillies to race largely lower-rated opponents.

The three-year-old has been making plenty of mistakes in her recent outings, so it will be up to one of Southland’s best in Nathan Williamson to help her do things right.

“I said to Nathan he will have to bring his hands,” Telfer quipped.

“We have given her a little freshen up and we will see how she goes.”

“When she does things right she is there with the better ones.”

“She has two $30,000 races down here week to week, and the trip away might be good for her too.”

“So it is a good opportunity to race in two suitable races for good stakes.”

Molly Bellwin takes on her stablemate Melody Banner after being freshened recently.

Though she’s drawn barrier 7 in a seven horse field, that doesn’t faze Telfer too much.

“The draw won’t really matter because she has got speed, but you can’t use her early.”

“If she is able to tuck in and run home, she should run a nice race.”

The Stonewall Stud trio will each be aimed at Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day.

One more horse could join the Telfer’s southern team for next week’s big race day.