It’s fair to say Aflyin Spur’s win at Alexandra Park on Thursday night earned him a trip to Christchurch. After stepping well and settling handy, regular driver Todd Mitchell popped out then quickly slotted into the trail. Rounding the home turn it looked as though Call Me Trouble had the race in hand. When the passing lane opened Aflyin Spur really knuckled down and won, drawing away in the final stages.
Donnelly has been quietly considering a Southern campaign and based on his last two starts it looks as though he’ll step up to the higher assessed runners.
“Now that he’s up in the grades it’ll be hard chasing off big marks at Alexandra Park” said Donnelly. “I looked at the programming a few weeks ago and there are plenty of open trots carded down South. He can race for $20,000 to $30,000 during October.
“We’ve made the initial payment for the Dominion however, we’ll see how he performs against the big boys first.
“They trotted home in 56.5 on Thursday so I think he deserves a trip away.
“He’s always had a real turn of foot but since I’ve taken the half hopples off he’s really found his speed.
“I believe he has a nice future ahead of him and given he’s only four I’m sure we'll have a few years of fun left yet.”
Stablemate Kango is booked and ready for a tilt at the NZ Cup. He’ll race in the Spring Cup then make his way to Christchurch.
Donnelly has two handy three year olds who may be aimed at races in Christchurch however, this will depend on how they step up in the next few weeks.
