Matai Phil faces stiff challenge at Alex Park
Garrick Knight - Raceform • June 6th, 2025 8:30 AM • 3 min read

He faces a tall task taking on the classy Mantra Blue, but Matai Phil’s trainer reckons he’s up for the challenge.
The two pacers headline Friday night’s feature pace at Alexandra Park, the $20,000 Mondiale VGL – Star Personnel Handicap Pace.
Matai Phil, a Southland-bred and raised pacer, has been a quiet achiever since being purchased by Pukekohe father-and-son training partners Peter and Vaughan Blanchard and their clients early last year. He’s racked up four wins and just over $50,000 in stakes from just 16 starts.
“We’ve always had a little bit of time for him but have been happy to wrap him in cotton wool,” Vaughan Blanchard told RaceForm. “We are hoping he repays us down the track.”
He won the $25,000 Country Cup Handicap on the big Race by betcha night at Cambridge in April and three subsequent races have netted two placings.
“One of them was third in a hot field behind Little Spike and The Surfer after he missed away.
“We feel like he’s going well and he’s a good chance this week. Mantra Blue is a classy mare and the rightful favourite, so we will have our work cut out if she turns up with anything like her best.”
Crucially, Mantra Blue is off 15m over the 2200m while Matai Phil is off the front tapes.
“He’s very chilled and laid-back, so touch wood he steps away early and can run them along. If he races as good as he did on the big night at Cambridge, he’s a strong chance.”
The stable has two trotters in at Cambridge on Thursday night – Majestic Bundy in the lower-grade race that opens the card and nearly-retired veteran Ruby Ridge in the night’s feature.
Ruby Ridge, who was served by Volstead in February, is having what is probably her second-last career start. She’s been racing in fine fettle since getting pregnant with a win and four placings in her last five starts.
“She’s racing great. It depends on the tempo for her this week over 2200 metres, given she’s off 20 metres. She’s always been a pretty handy mare, but being in foal agrees with her.
“It’s a shame we’ll lose her out of the stable because she’s a real favourite, but we think she’ll be a great broodmare, and we are all pretty excited for the next chapter.”