The Greg and Nina Hope-trained 6yr-old has campaigned in the South Island, the North Island and even in Australia in 2015-16, racking up 13 starts without ever returning home at the front of the field for the top prize but earning $180,855 along the way.
The losing streak could end this weekend. Mossdale Conner gets into tomorrow's $40,000 Northern Southland Cup beautifully off 20m, starting off the same mark as Costa Del Magnifico, and Pulp Fiction and 10m ahead of Titan Banner and Quick As A Trick.
For your reference, this is the same pacer who ran fourth to Smolda in the Ballarat Cup, third to Lennytheshark in the Victoria Cup and fifth to Smolda in the Hunter Cup.
There are some promising pacers in tomorrow's group 3 2700m pace, but his driver Ricky May does not need to be told it is a drop back in class from Australasia's best.
‘‘It's a bit weaker down there - put it that way,'' May said.
‘‘He went super over there [in Victoria]. He might have been a wee bit tired in his last start. He was probably a fraction disappointing on the run he had. But I don't know if he had backed up - the two runs he had before that were pretty good.''
A trial win at at Rangiora last week has tightened Mossdale Conner since his Australian trip, and May is confident of working into the race, or taking a sit if he needs to.
‘‘He can do most things, really. He's one of those horses who can do most things and it doesn't worry him too much.''
Mossdale Conner headlines a good book of drives for May tomorrow, supported by promising trotter Bordeaux in the group 3 Southern Lights.
‘‘I know he's going good, but it's a massive jump to open class. But he's certainly capable, there's no doubt about that.''
The 5yr-old has won his past five starts, but faces his toughest test to date against fellow rising star Harriet Of Mot and tight-class trotters such as Alley Way, Monty Python and Springbank Sam.
Other strong chances for May are Delightful Memphis in the 2yr-old fillies group 3 2200m and Classie Brigade in race 11.
