Racing: Giant-striding Delft being set for Rowe Cup

Michelle Wallis has one late season date marked on her racing calendar for monster trotter Delft - May 6.

The event is the $100,000 Rowe Cup. The huge striding 6-year-old was to start his build-up to the Group One event with a trial outing at Alexandra Park yesterday.

"Delft's coming along nicely in training and I think a couple of runs at the workouts over the next couple of weeks will bring him to peak fitness," said Wallis.

"He will race in the 2200 metre Free-For-All stand on April 29 and that race should top off his preparation nicely for the Rowe Cup.

"He will race off the unruly mark from a standing start and that should help him settle as he likes to focus on following horses out at that start that are in front of him.

"I'm a little concerned about bringing him back from the mobile start conditions of the Inter Dominion Series to a standing start so it's important he has these couple of standing start trials. He has come a long way this season as back in October he was a two-win trotter and now he's racing against and defeating the best free-for-all trotters in Australasia.

"He raced with a lot of credit throughout the Inter Dominion Carnival and was unlucky in the Inter Dominion Final when sixth.

"Every time Tony [Herlihy, regular driver] tried to improve the horse other drivers were pulling out in front of him and it played right into the hands of horses that sat off the pace.

"I think he's a horse that will really thrive when racing over 3200 metres as he gives you the impression that he has the stamina to match his speed."

Delft began his career from Herlihy's stable before being sold to prominent American owner Joe Muscara.

After a series of disappointing performances, Delft was sent back to Herlihy who recommended he be transferred to the care of Waiuku-based Wallis, who has had stunning success this season training her racing team on a nearby beach.

From 12 starts for Wallis, Delft has scored eight wins, and posted some stunning winning performances at Alexandra Park.

Wallis is quick to credit the straight line training associated with conditioning Delft as a major factor in the turnaround in racing form of the gelding.

"After he races in the Rowe Cup we'll turn him out for a spell then bring him back into training and start planning our raid on the New Zealand Cup Carnival in Christchurch in November. I was down in Christchurch with Sly Flyin and I'm very keen on basing Delft with Catherine and David Butt."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY