Racing: Clash on cards for brave pacer

Bettor Cover Lover. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand's bravest pacer could be heading for a clash with Australia's most exciting.

Amazing comeback mare Bettor Cover Lover showed she has taken no harm from her tear-jerking victory in the $100,000 Queen of Hearts at Alexandra Park on December 16 with a stunning trial at Addington yesterday.

That sets her up nicely for a repeat clash with Carabella and De Lovely at Addington this Friday night before their third meeting of the season at Addington on February 4.

But co-trainer Brent Mangos says if Bettor Cover Lover maintains her best form he could bypass the Messenger at Alexandra Park in May for a tilt at the A$200,000 Chariots of Fire in Sydney the same weekend.

That is the main target for the season for Australia's wonder horse Sushi Sushi, who has not been beaten for 17 months.

"I know taking in the Chariots could mean meeting Sushi Sushi if all goes well for us both between now and then," admitted Mangos.

"But if she races up to her best form she will deserve a crack at that.

"A lot can change between now and then but that might be her only race against the boys all season. That or the Taylor Mile."

Mangos says after the two mares' races at Addington in the next three weeks he will set Bettor Cover Lover for the Ladyship Stakes at Menangle on March 3.

"It is A$200,000 for mares only and that is one of her key aims.

"So she will miss the Auckland Cup, stick to mainly the mares' races and end her season at the Harness Jewels."

Bettor Cover Lover's win in the Queen Of Hearts was her first start since nearly dying after badly cutting a hoof in a transportation accident last April.

To win a group one encounter fresh-up after eight months, much of which was spent recovering and fighting for her career, was one of the great modern-day harness racing performances.

She looked just as imposing yesterday as she came from last in a 1950m trial, giving the leader five lengths at the top of the straight by pacing a 26.2 second last 400m.

"She is in great shape and while you couldn't say she has improved since her Queen Of Hearts win because it was so good, she definitely hasn't gone backwards."

The fields for Friday night's great mares match-up come out today.