Key Takeaways
- Jason Teaz is nervous about the upcoming Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 at Ashburton, where his horse Stone Cold will compete in the $60,000 A Team Construction Mobile Trot.
- Stone Cold is a four-year-old Wishing Stone gelding who has won four races and over $50,000 in stakes, but has never raced outside of Auckland before.
- The horse is being stabled at Colin and Julie DeFilippi’s place outside Christchurch and is considered a $5.50 third favourite for the big race.
- The Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 meeting features 12 races, including $60,000 finals for 3YO, 4YO, and 5YO and older Fillies and Mares and Colts, Geldings and Entires for both gaits.
Introduction to the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000
The Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 is a prestigious harness racing event that takes place at Ashburton, featuring a series of high-stakes races for trotters and pacers. This year’s event is particularly notable, as it brings together some of the best horses from around the country to compete for a share of the $60,000 prize money. One of the horses competing in the event is Stone Cold, a four-year-old Wishing Stone gelding trained by Jason Teaz. Teaz, who is based in Ohaupo, has admitted to being "as nervous as hell" in the lead-up to the event, as Stone Cold has never raced outside of Auckland before.
The Journey to Ashburton
Stone Cold’s journey to Ashburton was not without its challenges. The horse was originally scheduled to fly down on Wednesday, but the flight was cancelled, leaving Teaz worried about the impact on his horse. Fortunately, the horse arrived safely 24 hours later, and Teaz reports that the delay has not affected Stone Cold’s performance. The horse is currently being stabled at Colin and Julie DeFilippi’s place just outside Christchurch, where he is being carefully prepared for the big race. According to Teaz, Stone Cold is a bit of a handful, prone to getting wound up and jumping around. However, the talent is clearly there, and Teaz is hoping that the horse will be able to channel his energy into a strong performance on Sunday.
The Competition
The $60,000 A Team Construction Mobile Trot, in which Stone Cold will compete, is a highly competitive race featuring some of the best horses in the country. The favourite to win is Donna’s Boy, who is expected to get a head start due to his gate speed. Bring On The Muscle is also a strong contender, and Teaz is aware that his horse will need to be at the top of his game if he is to have any chance of winning. Despite his nerves, Teaz is confident that Stone Cold has what it takes to make a strong showing. The horse has a placing from two starts behind the mobile arm, and Teaz is hoping that he will be able to build on this experience to produce a winning performance.
The Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 Meeting
The Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 meeting features 12 races, including $60,000 finals for 3YO, 4YO, and 5YO and older Fillies and Mares and Colts, Geldings and Entires for both gaits. The meeting is limited to horses whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception, making it a unique and exciting event. The races will be mobiles over 1700 metres, and the field size is limited to 14 runners. The meeting starts at 11:55am, with Stone Cold’s race taking place at 2:10pm. With its exciting lineup of races and talented horses, the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 is an event not to be missed.
Conclusion
The Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 is a highly anticipated event in the harness racing calendar, and this year’s meeting promises to be just as exciting as ever. With a strong lineup of horses competing in the $60,000 A Team Construction Mobile Trot, including Jason Teaz’s talented gelding Stone Cold, the race is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. Despite the challenges and nerves, Teaz is confident that Stone Cold has what it takes to make a strong showing, and the horse’s performance will be eagerly watched by racing fans around the country. Whether or not Stone Cold emerges victorious, the Phoebe Stud Harness 5000 is an event that is sure to provide plenty of excitement and entertainment for harness racing fans.