Telfers with strong chances at Rangiora today

By Mike Love 

Harness racing continues in North Canterbury today at Rangiora featuring more heats of the Anne Thompson Graduation series, the Canterbury Plains Challenge series and the $25,000 Kotare Downs Rangiora 3YO Stakes for pacers.

Steve and Amanda Telfer are will be looking to continue their good recent form today. They have 38 wins in 2025 to be second on the premiership, 30 behind runaway leader Michael House.

They also had a Group 1 placing with Allamericanplayer ehind Fugitive in the Group 1 Cardigan Bay Stakes  at Alexandra park on Friday night. 

“He was super on Friday. He’s still not 100% switched on. His next target will probably be the Welcome Stakes,” said Amanda Telfer. 

The Telfers will line up five runners at today’s meeting. 

In Race 4, the West Belt Motors Mobile Pace over 2000m last start winner Carbon ($4.60FF) will have a wide draw and rise in class to contend with. Carbon broke his maiden status fresh up at Banks Peninsula in his South Island debut on April 21. 

“He’s not the full package but he got the job done last time. His work has been good though and I think he will suit having one run at them and coming from behind.” 

The stable has a double assault on Race 5, the Anne Thompson Graduation Series (Heat 3) Mobile Pace over 2000m with Bettor Off ($11.00FF) and Elektra King ($1.85FF) who will start the shortest priced favourite of the day. Better Off made a few mistakes last time out, but Telfer is hopeful of an improved showing today. 

“That was out of character for her last time. Her work has been good since, and we’ve made a few minor gear changes. She’s a nice filly so we are expecting a much better run.”

Meanwhile Elektra King will be looking for a well deserved maiden victory - having run second at her previous four races. 

“She always finds one just a little bit better on the day. But she’s very well and she should be right there at the finish.”

The Telfers line up another runner in the Anne Thompson Graduation Series this time in Race 7, in Heat 3. After a strong South Island debut at Invercargill last week, Christie’s Art ($12.00FF) may be the value bet of the day, according to Telfer. 

“It won’t be easy but she had a tough run at Invercargill. Her work has been great and I think she’ll go pretty close to winning.” 

Treasure Cove ($3.30FF) in Race 8, the Kotare Downs Rangiora 3YO Stakes for pacers with a purse of $25,000 looks hard to beat now with the scratching of Queen Tyron. The Captaintreacherous gelding comes into the race with strong Southland form, including a last start fourth in the Southern Supremacy Stakes final at Ascot Park behind Five Crowns. 

“He’s come home bright and well. He’s got gate speed so he may get handy. He’s got a lot of speed and can run a nice quarter. He should be thereabouts.”

Tim Williams will take the drive on all Telfer runners barring Bettor Off who will be driven by Terry Chmiel. 

Race one gets underway at 11:54am.