Racing: Trainer not over-confident

Glen Wolfenden has two winter mysteries to solve at Alexandra Park tonight.

The first: how to reignite the career of open-class trotting mare Extasia; the second: how to keep rugged pacer Holtere in one piece.

The pair contest the two feature races at Alexandra Park tonight and would go close to completing a double with peak performances.

But in the case of Extasia, expecting her peak could be too much to ask.

Extasia burst on to the scene two years ago, looking a potential open-class star with a series of effortless, huge-margin wins.

But she has struggled with seasonal problems since and trainer-driver Wolfenden admits he does not know whether she will ever fulfil her early promise.

"She got in season very heavily a couple of times and it seemed to change her, she hasn't been the same since," he said.

"At her best she would win this week because it is the weakest field she has met but I am not that confident."

Extasia drops back to two-win company, albeit off a 30m handicap, after racing well against quasi open-class company in the past month.

"She was a solid third two starts ago and might have been put off by a whip close to her head last week.

"But I am still not sure about where she is at."

Wolfenden knows stablemate Holtere has not finished winning but while he has no concerns about his head and his heart, his legs do worry him.

"He has got a suspensory problem," he says.

"If he can hold together he could be in for a good winter as he is a good, tough pacer."

Holtere paced some fast times last campaign and has the gate speed to go forward in race seven tonight, although he does meet some race-hardened rivals.

"He worked well on Wednesday so I am happy with him but a lot will depend on how they run the race.

"If they go 2:45 [for 2200m] he will be all right but if they start getting down a few seconds quicker than that then he could be in trouble fresh-up.

"If he holds together he will win some more races."

Holtere's most talented rival tonight, Justa Tiger, is in the same boat, fighting his way back to his best.

Justa Tiger was good enough to beat many of the best 3-year-olds in the country last season but was another struck down by leg problems.

That cost him much of his 4-year-old season and trainer Ray Green says the flashy pacer's best form could still be a few starts away. "I was a bit disappointed by him last start," said Green.

"I think he will come back to it but he has been hanging right-handed so I think I will try him left-handed next time out.

"He is well in himself, though, and I think we all know he would win this if he was at his best."

With concerns over the fitness of both pacers, race rivals Family Spirit and Spy look good each-way chances.

However, Canterbury pacer Comebackmach will have support. He looked smart last campaign and heads a small but talented team being campaigned in the north for the next fortnight by Graham and Paul Court.

DILEMMA
* Trainer Glen Wolfenden has issues with his two stable stars.
* Extasia is good enough to win at Alexandra Park tonight but is struggling to regain her best form.
* Holtere resumes in the main pace but has a suspensory problem.
* Expensive South Island juvenile Mach Banner makes his debut at the meeting.