By MICHAEL GUERIN
Attempts to provide northern open class pacers with a New Zealand Cup build-up at home ground to a halt yesterday.
After the failure to get an open class race off the ground at Cambridge last Thursday key trainers have decided they must send their stable stars south to ensure they get the crucial racing needed before the Cup at Addington on November 14.
The Auckland and Cambridge clubs had tried to give local trainers lead-up races so they could keep their open class pacers at home before flying south a week before the big day.
But the last nail was hammered in the coffin yesterday when trainers Todd MacFarlane and Barry Purdon confirmed they were now heading south.
"It is just too much of a risk to take," said MacFarlane, who trains Mac De Stroyer. "If we stay here and one of the races doesn't get off the ground then our Cup preparation is really in trouble."
Mac De Stroyer will trial at Alexandra Park on Saturday before heading south and racing in the Kaikoura Cup on October 30.
But because the NZ Cup is later than usual this season that will still leave a fortnight until the Kaikoura which has prompted Rangiora to stage a Cup trial on November 8.
"That should be ideal for us," said MacFarlane, who is thrilled with the way Mac De Stroyer has come through his first two runs of the season.
He will clash with New Zealand Cup favourite Holmes D G at Kaikoura after Purdon yesterday conceded defeat in his battle to stay close to home before Cup time.
"I wanted to stay here but when I heard that Yulestar and Mac De Stroyer were heading south it didn't leave too many to race up here," said Purdon.
Holmes D G will be joined by stablemates I'vecomealongway, who contrary to reports has not been sold, Alert Motoring and Thunder N Lightning at Addington.
But stable trotting star Mountain Gold is unlikely to make the trip.
The former Rowe Cup winner returns to racing at Alexandra Park on Friday night but Purdon will allow him to miss the Dominion Handicap on November 24.
"I would rather keep him up here then concentrate on the Melbourne summer carnival and the Interdominions in Brisbane in May."
Racing: Harness talent forced south for Cup build-up
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