Ohoka Connor gunning for back to back wins at Addington tonight

By Michael Guerin

Driver Tim Williams knows Ohoka Connor is the real deal.

He also knows he will need to be to keep winning at Addington tonight.

The big four-year-old bounced back from, what was for him, a run of outs to win at Addington last start after defeats in his three previous starts.

Thay may not sound like much of a slump but for a horse who won eight of his first nine starts that step up in class and associated reality check had to come at some stage.

Ohoka Connor was beaten in the NZ Derby and then two starts in the deep south, having excuses all three times, as he goes through the transition from high-class age group horse to genuine open class player.

Williams thought that could even last another race as he was drawn wide in a mobile mile at Addington last start but he still overpowered stablemate Alta Meteor.

“I thought with the draws and mile racing being so tricky there he could get beat,” admitted Williams.

“But he is a good horse with a good horse’s will to win.

“He will need it though as there are no easy wins in this grade, especially when you start drawing bad in these preferential draws.

“I really like both him and Alta Meteor as horses but I stick with Connor because of his will to win.”

Either of the Team Telfer pair could win the Airpark Canterbury Mobile Park tonight (7.34pm) but so much will depend on the tempo and attitude of rival drivers in the small but well-balanced 1980m mobile for Race 6.

“I actually really enjoyed driving him cold last start because, if anything, I have been guilty of over driving him a bit,” admits Williams.

“But if I try that again this week his chances might depend on how fast they go in front.”

The field has real depth with Northern Southland Cup winner Di Vinci a very comparable horse to Ohoka Connor while The Falcon, Heisenberg and Got Your Covered are all racing well enough to win without upsetting.

The main trot tonight sees the return of Mystic Max after a solid spring campaign and after winning at the trials last week his best would be good enough to beat most he meets tonight, especially as the small field helps negate his 25m handicap.