Show Stopper looks the goods at Oamaru today

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Cran Dalgety hopes Show Stopper has found the perfect spot in Wednesday’s Southern Oaks heat at Oamaru.

The three-year-old heads south with stablemate The Merc after placing in all three of her starts this time in.

Show Stopper is set to start favourite from barrier 2 in Oamaru’s opening heat of the series (5.58pm) and Dalgety is hopeful that draw is one of several key factors in his horse’s favour.

“She has been racing great, she’s just been running into one better on the day lately.”

“The last two have been colts and geldings and they have looked like handy enough horses too.”

“She went down to one of ours last start, Treacherous Dreams, which is no disgrace because he has been racing super.”

“We are hoping she can relish racing her own age and sex this week.”

While beaten in her recent runs, Show Stopper has shown all the attributes needed to take advantage of her crucial draw in Wednesday’s 2000m sprint.

“She’s got the gate speed and she’s shown she can lead or take a trail.”

“On paper it looks like we should have all the options there, but you never know what could happen on the day.”

On Wednesday, The Merc will return to Oamaru, where he was trained until recently by co-owner Kaleb Bublitz.

Since transferring to the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety barn, the trotter has trialled up nicely on two occasions.

The five-year-old is also set to start favourite in a rating 35-50 affair, the Hungry Horse Cafe handicap Trot (5.23pm).

“We have had him a little while now and we have got to know him a bit better and he seems quite happy and well in himself.”

“This looks like a suitable race to kick him off in and I am sure we will be much wiser about him afterwards.”

“But on his trials and his work we would expect him to be quite competitive.”

Show Stopper and The Merc are among five drives Carter Dalgety takes at Oamaru on Wednesday.

Clonakilty looks a major winning chance for the reinsman in Race 4, the Otago Harness Awards Saturday 18th April Mobile Pace (4.48pm).

The Brent and Tim White trained pacer lands in a suitable grade and has secured barrier 1.

The Dalgety team will roll out several horses at Alexandra Park on Friday night ahead of an exciting autumn in the north.

Among them is last start Group 1 winner All Of Me who is prepping for the upcoming Group 1 Caduceus Club Fillies Classic.

The filly has only had one trial ahead of her return, running second to Spirit Of Tupelo who looks one of the biggest threats to Show Stopper in Wednesday’s Southern Oaks heat.

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