The glamor boy of our classic pacing crop has a few dents in his crown after arch rival Got The Chocolates (Art major) has beaten him in their last two clashes, once when Marketplace chased him, but more painfully when Got The Chocolates parked outside him at Ashburton’s last start.
“Got The Chocolates was great last start and I didn’t think he could do that,” said Marketplace trainer Regan Todd.
“I don’t think our horse is doing any worse, but Got The Chocolates has improved and the gap has been closed.”
So Todd has reached the turbo buttons by putting on Marketplace blinders for today’s $500,000 final race, the Hill, Lee and Scott THE VELOCITY, and taking out his usual earbuds.
“We think that will make him sharper and we think he can handle that because he is such a relaxed horse.
“I would like to think that will get him started early and keep him sharp.”
While that might raise concerns about racing too much for some horses, the reality is that today’s sprint trip will likely be tough anyway, so Marketplace will be close enough to his top cruising speed for much of the race.
“It’s all about the next two weeks now,” says Todd.
“This race and next week’s Derby are what he is all about and I think we have him at his peak.”
As talented as Marketplace is, Got The Chocolates has gone to another level and he can still win, even if he probably has to stay parked.
One way or another, we should know who New Zealand’s best three-year-old pacer is by 7.45pm tonight.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Michael Guerinfor Harness Racing New Zealand
#Marketplace #Chocolates #promises #fireworks