Meredith confident One More Moment is back on track

One More Moment has already proven she can mix it with the best, and tonight she gets the chance to start building that confidence again at Cambridge Raceway.

The eight-year-old harness racing mare lines up in Race 5, the Daily Double Handicap Trot (7.35pm), where she will start from the 15m mark in the capable hands of Mark Purdon.

It is a significant drop back in grade for the daughter of Majestic Son, and trainer Zev Meredith believes it could be exactly what she needs.

“I’m very confident with her heading into tonight. I actually nominated her for the trot at Auckland, but with the class of horse in the field there, and the fact that she’s just finding her feet again, I thought it would be best to race her at Cambridge and try to get some confidence back into her.”

The talented mare knows what it takes to win at the highest level.

She won the inaugural Group 1 Queen Of Diamonds at Alexandra Park in December 2024, producing a big upset for Meredith in what was the young trainer’s first Group 1 victory.

After dealing with soundness issues in recent times, Meredith has taken a careful approach with the mare.

“The main priority is keeping her sound, which isn’t always easy.”

That cautious approach was evident in her last start at Alexandra Park last week, where Meredith was pleased with her performance but felt she had simply been a little underdone.

“Yeah I was very happy with her. She just got a little bit tired late which is my own doing, with the troubles I’ve had with her I’ve been a bit too kind in her work at home.”

Despite the challenges, Meredith believes the mare is starting to feel like herself again.

“With her being a Majestic Son it’s not the easiest thing keeping her head in the game either, but she definitely seems like she’s back to her best.”

“She’s trotting the best she has in a long time.”

Tonight’s assignment is therefore less about proving what she can do and more about giving her the opportunity to regain some confidence.

If she can continue heading in the right direction, there are bigger targets waiting.

“The Group 3 Waikato Breeders Stakes is coming up, so if we can get her back to her best that will be her target.”

The Queen Of Diamonds is also firmly in Meredith’s sights, with the trainer keen to see if his mare can have another crack at the race where she made her name.

“I’d like to see if we can get her crown back, but we’ll just have to see how she’s travelling ability wise and make sure she’s back to her best. If she’s on point, then it’s right on the cards.”

For now, Cambridge provides a chance to take another step in that direction.

And with a Group 1 winner dropping back in grade, One More Moment looks to have found a pretty handy opportunity to remind herself what she’s capable of.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand