Dale Conner might get to see a bit more of the South Island in the coming months as co-trainer Greg Hope tries to get the best out of the 4yr-old.
The Bettor's Delight pacer was a comfortable winner against c1 rivals at Forbury Park last night, and Hope - who trains with his wife Nina at Woodend Beach - said Mossdale Conner's speed now just needs to be matched by his brain.
''He's got all the potential in the world. It's just got to be mental toughness now,'' Hope said.
''It's down to him, really. I think a bit of tripping around might be the answer.''
He's probably got the most speed of any horse we've trained - and that includes Jason Rulz, who has a lot of speed.''
Mossdale Conner has not enjoyed much luck in recent starts, getting knocked over at the start of the race at Geraldine last month, but found his groove again at Oamaru last week before winning last night.
Hope said the drop-back system, where a horse drops back in class after 10 winless starts, had helped Mossdale Conner after he raced the top 3yr-olds last season.
''He raced against all the big horses last year and ran seconds and thirds. He was able to get the drop-back which was really good, then got the penalty-free win last week and the Harness Plus bonus this week.''
There were shades of Delft about Astrapi, who led all the way in the c1 and faster handicap trot.
Astrapi is a full brother to the former Interdominion champion and was bold out in front, winning by 4 lengths over Mum Beat Lyall.
His trainer, Mark Jones, had some problems to iron out when he got the horse off Templeton trainer Tim Butt, and there were still remnants when he failed at Ashburton and Kaikoura.
''That was probably my own fault, lining him up too quick,'' Jones said.
''He's getting there - he's a work in progress. We'll see how he goes in the next few starts. He's good enough to win a few.''
Updates
Additional information for meetings today.-
M2 Waikato RC
Riders:
Scratchings:
Race 4: Kalevala.
Race 6: Catch On, Ringo Starr
Race 10: Powerplaya, Kapsboy, Anna Maria
Weather, fine; track, dead4; rail, true
M4 Manawatu RC
Riders:
Scratchings:
Weather, cloudy; track, dead4; rail out 5m
M6 Southland RC
Riders:
Race 2: Peterbilt - Ross Doherty
Scratchings:
Race 2: She's Payback.
Race 5: Infallible.
Weather, overcast; track, dead4; rail, true
