Racing: Molander prepares to take on NZ's best

Photo / Thinkstock

When Nicole Molander left New Zealand three years ago with a few battling horses and a dream she never expected to return with a group one superstar.

But that is on the cards after Keystone Del's group one trotting double in the A$400,000 Great Southern Star series at Melton on Saturday night.

Molander trains the former rogue trotter for Waikato owners Pat and Mick Hall, who sent him to Sydney to be trained at the behest of Pat's son, former trainer Tim Hall.

He believed Keystone Del, who won just two races at Manawatu during his short New Zealand career, would be suited to the all-mobile, frenetic Sydney racing style and has been proven right.

Not only has Molander trained Keystone Del to win the A$200,000 Glenferrie Farm Challenge twice but Saturday's heat and final series.

He had to be good to pull it off, too, coming from near last and four wide to wear down Kiwi favourite Stent in a 1:56.5 mile rate for the 1720m.

As brave as Stent was, Keystone Del deserved his victory after coming from so far back and his three group one wins in 20 days suggests he is right up to the best New Zealand trotters.

Molander is keen to prove that, starting with the Anzac Cup at Alexandra Park on April 25.

"They have a trotting triple crown [Anzac Cup, Greenlane Cup on May 2 and Rowe Cup on May 9] and we are very interested," said Molander, who grew up in Canterbury but spent time working in Auckland.

"I haven't confirmed it with the owners yet but I'd say we would come to Auckland for all three races, including the Rowe Cup, even though he doesn't race from a stand much anymore."

That would be a triumphant return for Molander after she moved to Sydney three years ago lured by the huge stakes at Menangle.

"It was a big gamble but it is our home now," says Molander, who has just had her third child with husband Dean.

"We love Sydney but to go back home with a horse like this for the biggest trotting race at Alexandra Park would be special for us.

"Sure, we would need to work on a few things, like getting him going right-handed and maybe some standing start practice but I'd think the owners would be keen so we are likely to be there."

Keystone Del and Stent quinellaing the A$300,000 final proved thetheory that the heat winners would be the ones to beat after they both easily took out their A$50,000 prelims.

But the difference in the final proved to be the unexpected pressure put on Stent by Blitzthemcalder, which left him just vulnerable enough at the end of his second 1:56 mile rate in the space of three hours.

"He went well and we have had a successful trip over here," said trainer-driver Colin De Filippi, as laconic as usual.

"And he will be a better horse next season."

Keystone Del and Stent are likely to be joined at Alexandra Park by Stig, Master Lavros, Irish Whisper, Sovereignty and in the Anzac Cup the 4-year-old Prime Power, so the three races will be an autumn gem.