Racing: Houdini act for Hay

John Hay has been coming to Alexandra Park for enough years to know he has no idea what to expect tonight.

The Canterbury horseman starts his assault on the Rowe Cup carnival a week early with Houdini Star and he has a very good reason for beating his fellow southerners north.

Alexandra Park's right-handed track, particularly the top bend, can be a huge trap for South Island horses who have never raced there before as they get unbalanced, even these days when the track is far better than it was a decade ago.

That seems to affect trotters worse and young trotters worst of all, which is why Houdini Star needs the practice he will get in race two tonight.

The three-year-old trotter has looked one of the best of his age-group but will need to impress Hay tonight to convince him to pay the late entry fee to the Sires' Stakes next Friday.

"I think he will be fine but a run on the track will do him no harm," Hay said.

"But we have all seen enough racing at Alexandra Park over the years to know that even top horses can get tripped up on their first start here.

"That is why he is here. If there is going to be a problem I'd rather find it this week than when racing for bigger money next week."

On class, Houdini Star would be too good for his rivals tonight, even though he is only a 3-year-old against some race-hardened older rivals.

He has produced some stunning wins this season, none more so than his 1:58.8 mile in the Hambletonian at Ashburton in February when he downed Galleon's Assassin.

The latter got his revenge in the NZ Trotting Derby last month but Houdini Star was enormous after losing plenty when breaking in the score-up.

He has not raced since and will derive benefit from tonight's race, another reason Hay is warning punters the gelding is no good thing tonight.

"Sure, I'd love to win but that isn't my first priority," he said. "The most important thing is for him to get around the track and trot all the way. If he does that then he will be hard to beat.

"So to get the best result I have to concentrate on getting him to trot first, then worry about winning it."

Houdini Star will take the place of Hay's usual Alexandra Park representative Prince Sundon, who won't be making the trip north for the Rowe Cup on May 5.

Prince Sundon won a feature trot at big odds here in December before taking the Cambridge Flying Mile in January and a heat of the Interdominions at Ballarat on January 28.

"He has had a long season so I put him in the paddock," Hay said.

"He deserves a rest."