J T Boe ready for Kurow Cup challenge

Tim Williams hopes leading Waitaki Hotel Kurow Cup will only be off a 35m handicap on Sunday.

The Steve and Amanda Telfer-trained pacer shares the back mark in the 2600m with key rival and fellow favourite Dreams Are Free.

J T Boe strode to an easy win in his last start but that came from behind the mobile.

While the pacer is a winner from a standing start, he is a novice from behind the tapes and it is one area of his game that he has to work on.

“Being off the 35m, there’s no way he can afford to make a mistake or even be slowly away,” Williams said.

“We took him back to the trials after that last win to get some more stand practice in and I was happy with how he got away.”

“The big thing with him is he is still a big kid and even though he’s had 20-odd starts he still has some growing up to do.”

“He’s still a boy in a man’s grade but he’s getting there and there is no doubting he’s got a nice motor to work with.”

J T Boe had a standing start to kick off his current campaign and was slow away before making up ground to run fifth.

If he can step away as he did in his recent trial and doesn’t add to his handicap, Williams is expecting a nice effort from the progressive pacer.

“He’s trained on really nicely after that trial and if he does everything right he should go a strong race.”

“Even though he is off a tough mark this race does look like a nice stepping stone for him.”

Dreams Are Free has developed his standing start game and comes into the Kurow Cup a proven standing start performer.

The pacer tuned up for his return to racing with a strong workout effort for trainer-driver Nathan Williamson last week.

The Stonewall Stud combination of Tim Williams and Steve and Amanda Telfer starts four horses at Oamaru on Sunday.

Among them is Orlando Wish who will have his second start after recovering from an early error to run fourth on debut at Addington.

“He drew one first up and there was a bit of pressure there and he made a mistake.”

“I think he will be a much better horse for having a race.”

“From a good draw in an even field he looks a handy chance.”

Cheer The Captain will kick off a new campaign after producing fair form last time in.

All signs point to the pacer being more competitive this prep.

“He trialled pretty well at Addington and he has trained on well too.”

“The draw (6) is niggly enough over 2000m but if he gets any luck he can be right there.”

Williams also links up with Semba on Sunday.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner