So Mystifying ready to back up breakthrough win

Tim Hall has found the key to getting the best out of So Mystifying, and the temperamental trotter looks set to give him another strong showing at Cambridge Raceway tonight.

The six-year-old mare won at Cambridge last week and returns for the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Trot (Race 4, 7.49pm), where she will start from barrier one with Crystal Hackett back in the sulky.

She is currently a $4.80 third favourite behind Paradise Ali ($3.40) and Pantani ($3.60).

Hall has had her since August with a win and two placings from four starts.

There has been no magic fix. Hall says mobile racing suits her better, while a simple routine at home has helped her settle.

“She actually had a pretty good mobile record,” Hall said. “The standing starts became an issue and then became more of an issue by the look of it.”

Hall has also found she does best when she has another horse to follow.

“Just follow that helmet everywhere and the helmet becomes their safety zone,” he said.

So Mystifying’s quirks in the bike are a contrast to her manners around the stable.

“She’s lovely on the ground. She’s just the sweetest little mare ever.”

Hall was encouraged that Hackett chose her over other runners and is happy to leave the driving decisions to her again tonight.

“I haven’t told her how to drive her. I’ll just leave it up to her. She knows better than I do.”

The inside draw gives Hackett a chance to put So Mystifying in the race early, though Hall knows she may need luck if another runner crosses her. He still believes she can be competitive in the field.

“You’d like to think that on her day, she’d probably outrun a lot of them.”

Hall has made a few adjustments, taking the pacifiers off, adding a murphy blind and changing her shoeing. He says she has been more comfortable and is the best he has had her since she joined his stable.

With last week’s win behind her and a handy draw tonight, So Mystifying has a good opportunity to show that Hall’s simple approach is continuing to pay off.

To see the field for Race 4 click here

by Jordyn Bublitz for Harness Racing New Zealand