Trapper back on track at Valley

Updated November 6 2012 - 11:26pm, first published June 12 2008 - 11:43am
SMOOTH MOVER: Todd Matthews drives Will Trapper in training at Sedgwick
SMOOTH MOVER: Todd Matthews drives Will Trapper in training at Sedgwick

INTER-DOMINION runner-up Will Trapper makes its return to the racetrack at Moonee Valley tonight.The Sedgwick trotter hasn’t raced since finishing a fast-finishing second to Galleons Sunset in the Inter-Dominion trotters final on March 1.Tonight’s free-for-all is not much easier than the Inter-Dominion final with fellow Sedgwick-based trotter Viva La Fever, Kiwi stars One Over Kenny and Whatsundermykilt, River Red and Flying Hardwick making up a high-class field.Will Trapper went from relative obscurity to the elite level last campaign with seven wins and four placings from 12 starts. Will Trapper’s regular driver Todd Matthews said the John Noonan-trained six-year-old has returned from a spell a more mature horse.‘‘He’ll be improved by the run, but he’s come back a much bigger and stronger horse,’’ Matthews said.‘‘He’s not working any better than what he was leading into the Inter-Dominion, but mentally he’s a much more relaxed horse and takes everything in his stride.’’ Matthews said Noonan is planning to take Will Trapper to Sydney in a fortnight for a Group One event over a mile at the new-look Menangle circuit.‘‘His aim is the Group One race in a fortnight and I would think most of the horses we’re racing against at the Valley will head that way as well,’’ Matthews said.‘‘He’s not far away from his peak, but he’ll need the run at the Valley.’’ Will Trapper has drawn awkwardly in gate six for tonight’s 2575 m mobile event.River Red, which has drawn directly inside Will Trapper, has brilliant speed from the mobile and looks the likely leader.‘‘The way the draw has worked out we’ll have to go back at the start and drive him for luck,’’ Matthews said.‘‘Being first-up over 2575 m I don’t want to give him a real tough run.‘‘We’ll go back and I’m sure he’ll be hitting the line hard at the end . . . he won’t be far away.’’ Matthews is enjoying a good run of success, including his second career Group One with Staccato in the Vicbred Super Series Final for three-year-old fillies a fortnight ago.He followed that up with a close second with Jayden’s Castle in last Friday night’s Group One Vicbred Super Series Final for three-year-old colts and geldings.‘‘It’s a good time of year to be driving well with some of the better races around,’’ Matthews said.Matthews first Group One was also with Staccato in last year’s 2YO Breeders Crown final for fillies.‘‘Staccato was spot on for the Breeders Crown final last year and again in the Vicbred final this year,’’ Matthews said.‘‘She’s having a freshen up now and then she’ll be back for the Breeders Crown series.’’

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