Ohoka Connor horse to beat at Addington tonight

By Michael Guerin

Trainer Steve Telfer says x-factor makes Ohoka Connor the horse to beat in tonight’s $60,000 Coca-Cola Superstars at Addington.

But he admits he still wouldn’t be surprised if one of his other two reps can beat him in the highlight of the strong premier meeting.

Team Telfer also have Alta Meteor and the resuming Allamericanlover in the 2600m mobile Group 2 and they are just part of a strong field containing plenty of horses who are already open class or are heading there.

That has looked to be the case for Ohoka Connor almost right from when he first raced and Telfer says that little something extra has carried right through to the big time.

“He is a very good horse,” says Telfer.

“All three of them are but I think he might be slightly better than the other two at the moment, but not by much.

“They all have speed but he has really developed that and he might need it this week because from his wide draw he might end up having to go back early.

“All three of them might, but they have shown enough speed to still get home over the top of them.”

Ohoka Connor could even be on trial in coming weeks for a trip to the Queensland Winter Carnival.

“I am only toying with the idea at the moment but I am still not convinced he is a standing start horse and maybe he won’t be a New Zealand Cup horse.

“I don’t know that yet but I wouldn’t be scared to take him and Allamericanlover to Queensland to bring him on as a horse.

“Whereas Alta Meteor is already qualified for the Country Cups Final next month so he will race in that and then spell and get ready for the early spring races because he is so good from a stand.”

The Superstars could be run at a punishing tempo and suit the Telfer swoopers but there is class right across the field and if a Franco Marek, American Me or Beach Ball gets rolling up against the markers they would take plenty of catching.

The race is indicative of a great punting night, although it doesn’t start as such because Chase A Dream finds himself in a Sires’ Stakes heat he should win in R1 and will be everybody’s multi anchor at $1.08, if they can be bothered.

There are six of the $30,000 Racing Rewards races which for some involved will be their biggest race of the season and they provide enormous punting value so the night sets up well for punters who might want to back two or three horses a race and reduce their stake as the fixed prices are so even.

One of the better pointer races to what lies ahead could be a lower grade trot which isn’t even a Rewards race as it brings together the talented Dunn-trained trotters Bounce N Beyond and Tryon Eros.

Both have serious motors and are destined for the Derbys so will head north soon but Bounce N Beyond has race fitness on his side.