Alta Meteor (NZ) Strikes with Scintillating Speed in Group Three

A flying finish propelled Alta Meteor (NZ) (Art Major) to a deserved success in the $38,000 Group Three Fahey Fence Hire Autumn Free-For-All (1980m) at Addington on Saturday.

The NZB Standardbred graduate clocked a stunning 25.95sec final 400m when charging out of the pack for a well-earned black type win.

Alta Meteor was purchased for $25,000 by Stonewall Stud when he was offered by Alabar at the 2020 All Age Sale.

The pacer has been an outstanding performer throughout his career, having raced in outstanding company and placing at Group One level.

Alta Meteor drew a tricky spot in barrier six in Saturday’s sprint.

But his brilliant speed and some expert manoeuvring from driver Jonny Cox carried him to his first Group race win.

“I had faith in my fellow, his trackwork has been super, he’s got a great turn of foot and he showed that today,” Cox said.

Alta Meteor came into the Autumn Free-For-All after running second in his prior two starts to his star stablemate and fellow NZB Standardbred graduate Ohoka Connor (NZ) (Sunshine Beach).

This time, it was Alta Meteor who took top honours in the battle of the Steve and Amanda Telfer trained pairing.

“We got a good run today and we managed to be in front of Ohoka Connor and outsprint him,” Cox said.

Ohoka Connor clocked a sensational 25.80sec final 400m when charging home from the rear to run fourth.

Amanda Telfer it was Alta Meteor’s time to shine in Saturday’s Group Three feature.

“He has been a nice horse right the way through and he has raced the good ones all the way through.”
“He is just starting to take on the open class ones now, so we are quite happy.”

Stonewall Stud also produced Cocktails And Caviar (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) for a brilliant debut win at Addington’s premier meeting on Saturday.

The pacer led soon after the start before setting a strong tempo and then charging away from his rivals to score.

Cocktails And Caviar was purchased for $140,000 by Stonewall Stud at the 2022 National Yearling Sale at Karaka when he was offered among David Marshall’s draft.