Illegal Alien vying for hat-trick

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

It will be a big step-up for Illegal Alien at Motukarara Raceway on Sunday but trainer Kevin James is hoping his mare can extend her winning streak to three.

The daughter of Muscle Mass has won her last two races after placing at Addington Raceway last month and James believes she has benefitted from a change in training.

“She is in the form of her life at the moment, let’s hope it continues,” James said.

“She was working really well, but she wasn’t racing as good. I stopped doing fast work with her and started doing strong work that went further.

“She has seemed to respond well to that.”

James was particularly pleased with her last start win at Rangiora last weekend and while he is hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday, he believes she will have her work cut-out for her.

“She stuck to it last start and it was a nice win,” he said.

“That was back in one-win class. It is pretty hard with the dropback system and you are racing against 10 or 11 win horses.

“The dropback class is great, but I think it should come back to a certain level and stop.

“On Sunday we are up against Ian Cameron’s Bright Glow and she has won 11.

“I put her into the races because she needs racing, but it is a bit hard on her.”

While he has reserved expectations heading into Sunday, James has been pleased with the way his mare has been working this weekend and he is hoping for another bold performance.

“I took her down to the beach and she has worked well, she should go a good race,” he said.