Stonewall Stud on another Southern Speed Belle mission

Jonny Turner Harness Racing Journalist

Stonewall Stud have the perfect draws in their quest for a hat-trick of wins in the Vetsouth Equine SSBA Southern Belle Speed Final on Sunday.

Trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer have won three of the last four editions of the mares feature and have Elektra King and Ebony Arden aimed at this year’s edition.

The stable’s number one driver Tim Williams takes the reins behind Ebony Arden, who starts from barrier 2, outside of her stablemate Elektra King.

The reinsman admits it was tough to decide which mare to drive and he could easily be proven wrong.

“They have both got really suitable draws and they have gone well in the heats, so there isn’t much between them.”

“A couple of the team have said I have chosen the wrong horse, but I am more than happy to be on Ebony Arden.”

Ebony Arden has been very consistent recently and lands the best draw of her current campaign in Sunday’s final.

“She is a rolling type and the harder they go, the better it will suit her,” Williams said.

“If she can stay handy to the speed, she will keep going, so from the draw she looks a nice chance.”

Elektra King was close up in excellent time in her last start third at Ascot Park, behind race rivals Haley Jaccka and Tosana.

The Stonewall camp feels barrier 1 is a big assist for the mare.

“She’s a speedy mare but she hasn’t had many chances to show it recently,” Williams said.

“From the one draw it might be a different story on Sunday, if she follows the right horse she can be right in it.”

Williams and the Telfer stable will put Spicey Lou’s unbeaten record on the line in Sunday’s Alabar Southern Supremacy heat.

The three-year-old is two from two after starting his career in style in Canterbury recently.

“There’s no doubt it is a step up into a nice field, but he deserves his shot at this race.”

“The big thing has been he has been a big improver between races, so hopefully he will show that again on Sunday.”

“The second row draw doesn’t look horrendous; he can run well.”

The Telfer-Williams combination bring comeback pacer Ohoka Connor south for Sunday’s All Lay Carpet & Drapes Winton Cup.

The camp hopes his two runs back from a spell have him primed for the feature event.

“His last start fourth at Rangiora was good and we think it has blown a few cobwebs out after his time away.”

“He will need to step away well from the 30m handicap, but if he does he can go well.”

Telfer stable junior driver Nikita Burton links up with two key chances at Winton’s big meeting on Sunday.

Both Tact Teeva and Princess Lisa look genuine threats.