Racing: Group race triallists meet tough opposition

Ma'a Nonu is part-owner of Pocket Robyn who debuts in race one. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Two pacers on trial for group race glory provide punters with a bonus quaddie teaser in the main pace at Alexandra Park tonight.

Race seven is the first leg of a quaddie, which could exceed $50,000 as it starts off with $25,000 guaranteed as part of the TAB's bonus weekend.

It brings together a fine field of intermediate grade pacers but the trick is the 2700m event, a standing start and the first one in the careers of Red Zone and River Field.

Both sons of Red River Hanover are using the race as a trial for the Superstars Championship at Addington on October 1 so will need to step safely to earn their trips south.

Red Zone's trainer Doug Gale is confident his charge will handle the new task after he stepped cleanly in a recent workout.

"He is well-mannered and I think he should be fine so I'm not too worried about it," said Gale.

He rates Red Zone a horse who could make his way toward the best grades and with his hard-running style he will be hard to catch should he begin quickly tonight.

River Field doesn't have Red Zone's experience against the older horses but may have a touch more class and he too looks headed for better things.

Driver Peter Ferguson was thrilled with River Field's win last Friday and says the Manawatu stallion is tough, suggesting the 2700m will suit him tonight.

The pair meet some hardened older rivals in Dead Calm, Mighty Creation, and Exceptional Cullen while Kobe Bryant, Spy and Scotty Mach should be quick improvers, making for a great punting race.

Exceptional Cullen could get out to backable odds tonight after being luckless when beaten as favourite last Friday.

He only ever got a half gap in the straight last week but his earlier winter form was fantastic and his 10m handicap tonight is not too prohibitive.

Mighty Creation has been one of the surprises of the winter and can win again while Dead Calm was second in a similar field last Friday and generally steps well.

While the opening leg of the quaddie looks tough, punters should be able to afford to go short, maybe even an anchor, in the last.

Glenalvon was an impressive last-start winner in a good field at Rangiora and has the gate speed to use barrier one.

Earlier, good-class mare Trigirl Brigade returns in race five, where she looks ideally placed over the 1700m.

Good enough to run second in New Zealand's fastest race - Kiwi Ingenuity's 1:52.1 mile at the Harness Jewels last year - Trigirl Brigade was also second to Beaudiene Bad Babe and Changeover in major races last season.

If she can lead tonight she will take a power of catching.

And one for rugby fans to look out for tonight is Pocket Robyn, who debuts in race one where he tries to give part-owner Ma'a Nonu his second win in five days. It could provide him with an unusual treble as he will meet the Wallabies tomorrow night in the Tri-Nations test.

The All Black midfielder, a keen racing fan, won with Fiery Achiever at Methven last Sunday and shares in the ownership of the promising Pocket Robyn with Diane Mangos, successful owner Scott Plant, former Alex Park caller Alby Gain and local rugby legend Winston Sua.